Our community took a battering this year from wild weather events and flooding. For many of us, it showed just how quickly natural disasters can unfold and how we cannot become complacent.

Next week is Emergency Ready Week – a great opportunity to check how prepared you are for emergencies and disasters.

There are four simple steps you can take to ensure you are better prepared:

1. Get in the know: about risks and hazards, where to get information and how to manage stress
2. Get connected: by identifying emergency contacts, meeting places, and people who can help   
3. Get organised: with important documents, medical information, insurance and pet plans   
4. Get packing: with a list to help you survive and personal items that are important to you  

  You can also download the Red Cross Get Prepared app to locate your local emergency services, identify a safe meeting place and create checklists of what to do and what to pack.

For more information about how you can prepare for emergencies visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/services/emergency-preparedness