These resources help you respond to unexpected events that can threaten the air quality in your community and your home. If you are impacted by an emergency or natural disaster listen to the information and directions from your local Emergency Management Agency.
Preparing for Threats
- Preparation is key. Weather warnings offer a better chance now to protect your family from tornadoes.
- Remember, you can and should start to prepare before tornado season starts, especially if you live where these storms are likely. Ready.gov, an initiative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies, has information on preparing for tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and other disasters.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has preparation advice.
- Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service also have preparation advice.
After the Disaster
- Returning Home has a list of helpful tips to protect your lung health when you return home after a disaster
- More detailed information about common concerns in tornado cleanup can be found in Indoor Air Pollutants and Health
- If you or a family member live with asthma, COPD or another chronic lung disease, you can learn self-management strategies now that will help you keep your lung disease under control during a disaster
Lung Disease and Natural Disasters
These resources help you respond to unexpected events that can threaten the air quality in your community and your home. If you are impacted by an emergency or natural disaster listen to the information and direction from your local Emergency Management Agency.
More Resources:
- See a chemical or oil spill? Call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 (24 hours a day every day). Chemicals can give off toxic air pollution, so report them as quickly as possible.
- More information at Ready.gov can help you prepare for or respond to hurricanes,tornadoes, preparing for snowstorms and extreme cold. Ready.gov also has several options for getting alerts in emergencies, including weather emergencies.
- Need help recovering?DisasterAssistance.gov helps you to receive disaster assistance.
- What to do with disaster debris? Don't burn it. This lists ways that work to get rid of debris without adding to the burden to your health. More information is also available in this guide to mold cleanup after disasters.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advice on preparing and staying safe during winter weather.
- More recovery advice is available from the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a guide on how to prepare for a winter storm.
- The American Red Cross provides guidance to help members of your family connect during and after a disaster.
- USA.Gov can provide steps to finding family and friends, temporary housing, emergency food, tips to let people know you are safe and steps to replace important vital documents after a natural disaster.
Page last updated: March 6, 2023