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September is National Preparedness Month, and today we're turning our attention to the critical topic of natural disaster readiness. Natural disasters are a universal concern, impacting lives and communities globally, irrespective of borders and boundaries.

Being prepared for a natural disaster doesn't just mean having a plan; it's about equipping ourselves with the knowledge and tools to navigate through these challenging events. By understanding the risks, planning ahead, and ensuring we have the necessary supplies, we can significantly reduce the potential harm to ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Read on for more about FEMA’s recap of 2022’s natural catastrophes, plus some tips from Bear Grylls about how to signal for rescue in a survival situation. And one of our writers tells us why he went from bug-out bag adverse, to having a bug-out bag packed and ready.

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September is National Preparedness Month

A federal government initiative in the U.S. is front and center this September as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) calls for everyone to be prepared for the worst. National Preparedness Month is all about being ready for any disaster.

Federal officials say natural disasters cost the U.S. $165.1 billion in 2022. The most expensive disasters were Hurricane Ian, which had a $112.9 billion price tag, and the drought in the west, which resulted in $22.1 billion in damage. Other pricey disasters include tornados, hail storms, winter weather, and wildfires.

Together with Inside Hotels

Hotels We Love: Bluebird Tälta Lodge

Experience the year-round beauty of Vermont at Bluebird Tälta Lodge, where constant access to nature is the rule, not the exception. From here, adventurers can easily hike or ride their E-bike along the 5.3-mile paved Stowe recreation path, or head off-road for an even bigger thrill. Of course, if you feel like staying around the hotel to swim in the indoor pool, that’s an option as well. A restaurant partnership with beloved local new-Japanese proprietors, Kitsune, brings a touch of international flair to your stay. With nine Stuga cottages arriving this fall for ultimate privacy, there’s an accommodation here for everyone.

You Don’t Have to Be a Prepper to Have a Bug-Out Bag Prepped

A bug-out bag doesn’t have to be something that prepares you for an apocalyptic event. It just needs to prepare you to survive or avoid extreme discomfort for a short amount of time. Exactly how long depends on a number of things like where you live, what likely scenarios you’ll face, and how many people you need to take care of.

Bear Grylls: How To Get Rescued In a Survival Situation

As a survivalist who has been in some of the world’s most hostile environments, Bear Grylls has often talked about the four priorities of survival – Protection, Rescue, Water, and Food. Getting rescued, says Bear, should be higher on the list than even water or food.

In some situations, getting rescued is the only way you will survive – and for this, you need to be able to alert people to your predicament, and when help does come, you need to be able to communicate with them.

Here are some ways that Bear Grylls communicates in a survival situation:

The Worst Wildfires of the Decade

Wildfires are raging as global warming and climate change increase temperatures and dryness around the world. The past decade in particular has seen some devastating wildfires, underlining the importance, especially in the summer months, of fire safety when you’re outdoors.

Here is a roundup of some of the worst wildfires of the past decade.

Outdoor Gear Checklist

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1. Moosejaw

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