National PrepareAthon! Day

Observed annually on April 30th, National PrepareAthon! Day is a holiday that serves as a reminder that bad things can happen at any moment, and we all should be well-prepared. Every day, people have to contend with fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and a variety of other natural disasters that force them to act quickly.

If a person doesn’t have a plan in place to know what to do when an emergency arises, the results can be catastrophic. Fortunately, people can use this day to begin their emergency action preparation plan—a plan that could save their life if disaster does strike.

The History of National PrepareAthon! Day

This holiday was created by U.S. President Barack Obama’s White House in 2014 to help Americans prepare for natural disasters. It was a part of his National Preparedness Initiative, and it continues to be observed by people all over the U.S. to this very day.

Facts About Natural Disasters

Below are some quick and dirty facts about natural disasters that you might find interesting.

  • Between 2001 and 2012, approximately $1.7 trillion in damage was caused by natural disasters.
  • In 2011, there were 154 floods, 15 cases of extreme temperature, and 16 droughts across the world.
  • Floods and wildfires are the most widespread natural disasters in the U.S.
  • The damage paths of tornadoes can exceed a mile in width and 50 miles in length.

Observing National PrepareAthon! Day

The first step to celebrating this holiday is to take a few moments to draw up an emergency action plan. If you don’t know how to create one, then you can visit FEMA’s website and start by building on one of the emergency action plans they have available.

Once the plan is drawn up and ready, take the time to stock your home with the supplies of food, water, and medicine that you might need in an emergency. And while you’re buying supplies, don’t forget about your pets.

When is it?
This year (2024)
April 30 Tuesday
Next year (2025)
April 30 Wednesday
Last year (2023)
April 30 Sunday
Topic
Activity & Action