It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Everything feels urgent, so where should you begin?

It's different for everyone. We all lead different lives, have different needs, and different responsibilities. What a dad of 4 might do vs what a single woman would do to prepare may be totally different.

Happy to share what I did! For context, I'm a childless woman (cat lady) in her late 20s. I started small. I bought a 25lb bag of rice and a bunch of dry beans. I met with my doctor to chat about vaccinations, contraceptives, etc. and made a plan. I scanned and printed copies of important documents like my passport and driver's license along with MapQuest directions to various locations. I saved a backup of important data to a thumb drive. These actions made me feel more confident and prepared.

My advice would be to start with a small bite - whatever feels manageable and helpful. Think about what you would need if you lost access to power, public transportation, grocery stores, etc. for a few days at a time. Maybe pick up some batteries or candles and a few cans of veggies next time you grocery shop. If you have the means, it wouldn't hurt to stock up on a few days of non-perishable food. It's all about the cumulative impact of many seemingly small actions.

And don't forget to continue connecting with your community!

We can't outrun this, but with a bit of planning, we may be able to make ourselves and our neighbors a bit more comfortable while we weather the storm ahead.