What to Do in the First 24 Hours of a Disaster
The first 24 hours after disaster are the most dangerous. Earthquake, hurricane, power grid collapse, or geo magnetic reversal — it doesn’t matter. What you do in that first day determines whether you’re safe or scrambling for survival. Here is a step-by-step 24-hour action plan to protect yourself, your family, and your future.
Disasters don't wait for you to be ready. Whether it's a hurricane, earthquake, or blackout, the first 24 hours are the most dangerous. That's when chaos reigns, help might be delayed, and your quick actions can save lives. I’ve been prepping for over 25 years as a normal guy living in suburbia with a family, kids, but with a passion for preparedness and a desire to help each and every one of you be prepared for whatever you might face. Today I'm sharing the ultimate first 24 hours plan. Let's get into it!
Let's posit a hypothetical scenario to give this some context.
It was suppose to be a normal Tuesday in the early fall for you, your spouse, and your 2 kids filled with work and school. It is coming up on your lunch break when you the lights of your office go dark, the sun spilling through the windows providing the majority of the light. You look down at your phone and it too is dark. You push the side button, no response, you tap the screen over and over - still no response.
Today is the first day of a new world as a massive cyber attack focused on the US homeland and infrastructure has crippled the majority of the country. An unknown foreign hacking group, likely backed by one of the BRICS nations, attacked SCADA industrial control systems, causing them to crash, damaging critical hardware components, rendering them little more than burnt silica wafers. Little do you know at the time, but this is the beginning of the darkest days of the country and will take years of recovery to get back on our feet.
For this scenario, we are going to assume immediate loss of electricity, likely loss of municipal water pressure soon, etc. How are you going to get the family safely gathered together? What is your next step?
The first 24 hours of a survival situation are critical because they set the foundation for your safety and resilience. During this period, immediate dangers like injuries, exposure, or structural hazards are most acute, emergency services may be overwhelmed or delayed, and panic can lead to poor decisions. Quick action, assessing threats, securing shelter, treating injuries, and conserving resource, prevent small issues from escalating. Establishing communication with loved ones and executing your premade plans immediately, maximizes your chances of safely navigating the crisis in the early days.
Right Now (Minutes 0)
- Check for immediate threats (fire, structural damage, personal safety) and ACT
- Apply first aid, stop bleeding, treat injuries.
- Shut off utilities if needed (gas, water, electricity).
- Stop to think, try to identify what the disaster is, adapt your plan based on what you know.
Step 1: Secure Water & Food (Hour 0–2)
- Fill bathtubs, sinks, and containers with tap water before it stops running.
- Take stock of food supplies — prioritize perishables first.
- Begin rationing with a plan (1 gallon of water per person per day).
Step 2: Establish Communication & Information (Hour 2–4/6)
- Use radios, emergency apps, or check local channels for updates.
- Text, don’t call — preserve battery.
- Set a family contact person outside the disaster zone.
Step 3: Shelter & Warmth (Hour 4/6–8)
- Reinforce your home if it’s safe, or find alternate shelter.
- Gather blankets, sleeping bags, extra clothes.
- Prepare light sources: flashlights, candles, lanterns.
Step 4: Security & Defense (Hour 6–12)
- Lock down doors and windows.
- Keep self-defense tools accessible.
- Stay alert — disasters often bring opportunistic crime.
Step 5: Plan for Next 24 Hours (Hour 12–18)
- Rotate through watch/guard shifts if with others.
- Write down what you used and what you need most.
- Prepare for travel if relocation becomes necessary.
Step 6: Plan Going Forward (Hour 18–24)
- Assess the likely duration based on known facts
- Adjust plans for bugging out, food and water consumption, and security
The truth about the first 24 hours is that in a more serious, longterm scenario, the real danger comes after the first 24 hours. That’s when the initial shock wears off and resources begin to run dry. In the immediate aftermath, most people still have food in the fridge, some water available, and a sense of order as authorities and communities scramble to respond. But once the second day arrives, grocery store shelves are empty, fuel runs out, people realize the power grids may be down a longtime, and medical or emergency services are overwhelmed. Fear and uncertainty grow, leading to panic buying, desperation, and even crime as people realize help isn’t coming quickly. The first day is about immediate survival and prepping for the near future — the days after test endurance, preparation, and the ability to adapt in a world where the normal systems we rely on no longer function.
Disasters don’t give you a warning. But if you follow this 24-hour survival plan, you’ll be way ahead of most people and position yourself to be as ready as possible. Start with safety, secure water and food, then focus on communication, shelter, and defense. And remember — the first day sets the tone for everything that follows.
