Michael Carter
Emergency preparedness editor · United States
I write for American households that need a realistic plan for severe weather, wildfires and extended power outages. Because risks differ sharply by state, I start with local alerts and evacuation guidance, then test the water, lighting, communications and backup-power gear families actually depend on.
Why I write about emergency preparedness
Severe flooding and prolonged disruption in northern England left my household without normal services and reliable supplies for several days. Nothing about that week was dramatic — it was slow, tiring and largely avoidable. Since then I have focused on the emergencies that actually happen to UK households: flooding, storms, power cuts and supply disruption.
My experience
- Reviewed household lessons from Gulf Coast hurricanes, Western wildfire evacuations and the February 2021 winter storm
- Tested emergency water storage, NOAA weather radios, solar chargers, power stations and vehicle kits
- Maintains separate shelter-in-place and evacuation kits, updated for seasonal hazards
Training and credentials
- First aid and CPR training (American Red Cross)
- Preparedness research drawing on FEMA and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) materials
- Research grounded in FEMA Ready, NOAA's National Weather Service and CDC guidance
Sources and method
I pay particular attention to the 72-hour emergency kit, backup power, drinking-water storage, weather radios, vehicle preparedness and grab-and-go supplies that can be taken quickly when authorities issue an evacuation order. Guidance is checked against official sources — Ready.gov and FEMA, the National Weather Service and NOAA, and the American Red Cross.
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