Trusted External Resources

Vetted Resources, Zero Fluff

Every link here is from an official government, nonprofit, or widely respected organization. No affiliate links on this page — trust only.

✓ No affiliate links ✓ Official sources only ✓ Links verified 2025

🏛 Federal Emergency Management

FEMA

FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency

The primary federal agency for emergency management. Find disaster declarations, preparedness guides, and assistance programs.

DHS / FEMA

Official U.S. preparedness guidance. Build a kit, make a plan, be informed.

Ready.gov

Ready.gov — Family Emergency Plan

Downloadable family communication plan worksheet.

FEMA

Free mobile app for real-time weather alerts and disaster resources.

FEMA

FEMA National Risk Index

Map-based tool showing natural hazard risk by county.

🌧 Weather & Natural Hazards

NOAA

National Weather Service

Official forecasts, warnings, and weather radar for the U.S.

NOAA

NOAA Weather Radio

All-hazards radio network broadcasting continuous weather alerts.

FEMA / IPAWS

Emergency Alert System (FEMA)

National public warning system for all hazards.

EPA / NOAA / AirNow

AirNow — Air Quality Index

Real-time air quality maps. Essential during wildfires and smoke events.

USGS

USGS Earthquake Hazards

Real-time earthquake map, historical data, and preparation guides.

NOAA / NHC

National Hurricane Center

Official Atlantic and Pacific hurricane tracking and forecasts.

NOAA / SPC

Storm Prediction Center (NOAA)

Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings.

NOAA / NWS

NOAA Tsunami Warning Center

Tsunami watches, warnings, and advisories for U.S. coasts.

🩹 Health & Medical

CDC

CDC Emergency Preparedness

Official CDC guidance for health emergencies, outbreaks, and disaster health.

Stop the Bleed

Life-saving hemorrhage control training. Find a free class near you.

American Red Cross

American Red Cross — Preparedness

Guides for every type of disaster. Free first aid and CPR classes.

Poison.org

Poison Control Center

24/7 poison advice. 1-800-222-1222. Also handles medication questions.

SAMHSA

SAMHSA — Mental Health in Disasters

Substance Abuse and Mental Health services for disaster survivors.

CDC

CDC — Medication Safety During Disasters

How to manage prescription medications during emergencies.

♿ Disability & Access

ACL / HHS

ACL — Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Administration for Community Living guidance for people with access and functional needs.

FEMA

FEMA — Access & Functional Needs

Official resources for people who need additional support during emergencies.

Ready.gov

Ready.gov — People with Disabilities

Checklists and guides tailored to specific disability types.

National Council on Disability

National Council on Disability

Report on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.

📡 Communication & Amateur Radio

ARRL

ARRL — Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Amateur Radio Emergency Service — volunteer emergency communicators.

ARRL

Get Licensed — ARRL

How to get your Technician, General, or Amateur Extra license.

FCC

GMRS/FRS Radio Guide — FCC

FCC guide to walkie-talkies and personal radio services.

Meshtastic

Meshtastic — Off-Grid Mesh Networking

Open-source GPS mesh network for off-grid communication.

FEMA

Text to Shelter — FEMA

Text SHELTER + ZIP code to 43362 to find open shelters near you.

🚗 Evacuation & Shelter

American Red Cross

American Red Cross — Shelter Finder

Find open Red Cross shelters during active disasters.

United Way / 211

211 — Social Services Locator

Dial or text 211 to connect with local emergency services and shelters.

Ready.gov / FEMA

FEMA — Evacuating Safely

Step-by-step guide to planning and executing a safe evacuation.

BringFido

Pet-Friendly Hotels Directory

Find pet-friendly accommodations along your evacuation route.

Humane Society

Humane Society — Pet Disaster Preparedness

Official guidance for evacuating with pets.

💵 Financial & Legal

FEMA

FEMA Individual Assistance

Apply for federal disaster aid after a declared disaster.

SBA

SBA Disaster Loans

Low-interest loans for disaster-affected businesses and homeowners.

CFPB

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Disaster Prep

Protect your finances before and after a disaster.

IRS

IRS — Disaster Tax Relief

Tax deadline extensions and other relief for disaster victims.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids & Schools

Ready.gov

Age-appropriate preparedness content for children.

FEMA

FEMA — School Preparedness

Resources for parents, teachers, and school administrators.

NCTSN

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Helping children cope with disasters and trauma.

📄 Official PDF Publications

Public Domain — Free to download

FEMA · PDF

FEMA — Are You Ready? Guide →

Comprehensive 205-page guide to preparing for any emergency.

FEMA / Ready.gov · PDF

FEMA — Family Communication Plan →

Fillable wallet card for family emergency contacts.

American Red Cross

American Red Cross — Disaster Safety Library →

Free PDF guides for every major disaster type.

CDC

CDC — Emergency Preparedness Checklist →

Official CDC preparedness checklists.

NOAA · PDF

NOAA — Thunderstorm Safety →

Official NOAA thunderstorm and lightning safety.

🏠 State Emergency Management

Every U.S. state has an emergency management agency. Search "[your state] emergency management agency" to find official state resources, local shelter locations, and state-specific hazard information.

State emergency management agencies work in partnership with FEMA through the National Response Framework. During presidentially declared disasters, FEMA coordinates federal resources while state agencies direct local response and recovery operations. State agencies also administer FEMA mitigation grant programs and maintain state-level hazard mitigation plans updated every five years.

📞 Crisis Lines & Support

24/7 Support

National Crisis Line

Call or text 988

24/7 mental health crisis support for all situations.

SAMHSA

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

SAMHSA helpline for disaster-related emotional distress.

Safety

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233

Safety planning during disasters for survivors.

Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line

988 then press 1

Crisis support for veterans and their families.

ℹ️ About This Page

These resources were verified in early 2025. PrepVault does not receive compensation for including any of these links. All resources are from official government agencies, recognized nonprofits, or widely respected organizations.

If you find a broken link, this page will be updated — all links are reviewed quarterly. Our goal is to maintain this as the most accurate, trust-first external resource index for emergency preparedness. No affiliate links will ever appear on this page.