Urban Survival Tips: What to Do When Disaster Strikes Your City

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, but surviving in a city presents unique challenges. Whether it's an earthquake, blackout, economic collapse, or civil unrest, urban survival requires preparation, awareness, and quick thinking. Here’s what you need to do to stay safe when disaster strikes your city.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Panic can be just as dangerous as the disaster itself. When an emergency occurs:

• Take a deep breath and assess your surroundings.
• Check for immediate dangers like fires, collapsing structures, or violent situations.
• If it’s a city-wide disaster, monitor emergency broadcasts or trusted sources for updates.

2. Have an Urban Survival Kit Ready

Unlike wilderness survival, urban emergencies often involve power outages, water shortages, and supply chain disruptions. A well-stocked 72-hour emergency kit should include:

• Water & Filtration: One gallon per person per day, water purification tablets, or a portable filter.
• Food: Non-perishable items like canned goods, protein bars, and freeze-dried meals.
• Lighting & Power: Flashlights, extra batteries, and a solar or hand-crank charger.
• First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any necessary prescriptions.
• Protection & Defense: Pepper spray, a whistle, or other self-defense tools. Only use these if you are trained and have practiced regularly otherwise these tools can be used against you.
• Cash & Documents: ATMs may not work—keep small bills and copies of IDs and important documents.

3. Secure Your Home

Your home may be the safest place to shelter, but only if it’s secure:

• Reinforce entry points with extra locks or barriers.
• Have blackout curtains or coverings to prevent outside visibility.
• If looting or crime is a concern, keep lights dim and noise minimal.
• Stock up on essentials before disaster strikes to avoid dangerous store runs.

4. Know Your Escape Routes

In some scenarios, bugging out (evacuating) may be necessary:

• Identify multiple evacuation routes in case roads are blocked.
• Have a bug-out bag packed with supplies for at least 72 hours.
• Consider alternative transportation (bike, walking routes) if cars are unusable.
• Have a rendezvous point for family members in case of separation.

5. Water: Find, Store, and Purify

Urban water supplies can become contaminated or cut off in a crisis. Plan ahead by:

• Filling bathtubs and containers with tap water before an expected emergency.
• Knowing alternative sources (public fountains, rainwater, hot water heaters).
• Using purification methods like boiling, filtering, or adding bleach (8 drops per gallon).

6. Be Ready for Power Outages

A citywide blackout can lead to loss of communication, heating, cooling, and food storage. To prepare:

• Have solar chargers or backup power sources for devices.
• Use LED lanterns instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
• Unplug appliances to prevent surges when power returns.
• Keep a battery-powered radio to stay informed.

7. Avoid High-Risk Areas

During city-wide disasters, danger zones may emerge:

• Grocery stores & gas stations – These will be chaotic and dangerous. Stock up in advance.
• Bridges & tunnels – If damaged, they may collapse or become bottlenecks for traffic.
• Government buildings & banks – These may become high-security zones or protest hotspots.
• Crowds & riots – Avoid large groups, as panic and violence can escalate quickly.

8. Stay Informed and Communicate Wisely

• Use a battery-powered radio for emergency updates.
• If cell networks are down, try texting or emergency apps instead of calling.
• Designate an out of state contact. Sometimes when local networks are overloaded with calls, long distance calls can go through. An out of state contact can relay information between family members or others you want to stay in contact with.
• Be careful about what information you share publicly—avoid letting strangers know your location or supplies.

9. Learn Basic Urban Survival Skills

• First Aid & CPR: Life-saving knowledge if medical services are overwhelmed.
• Self-Defense: Basic skills can protect you from potential threats.
• Situational Awareness: Be mindful of exits, escape routes, and suspicious behavior.
• Bartering: Cash may lose value—items like food, water, and medicine could become valuable.

10. Have a Long-Term Plan

If the crisis lasts weeks or months, you’ll need to adjust:

• Prepare in advance. Get the supplies you need now.
• Find alternative food sources (community gardens, rationing).
• Consider moving to a safer location before supplies run out.
• Strengthen community ties—neighbors can be allies in difficult times.

Final Thoughts

Urban survival is about preparation, adaptability, and awareness. The more you plan before a disaster, the better your chances of staying safe. Take action now—build your emergency kit, plan evacuation routes, practice survival skills, build up your emergency supplies.