How Lowe’s Helps You Prepare for Natural Disasters

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the United States faced nearly 30 natural disasters in 2023 that required a billion dollars or more of relief and cleanup after the event. Every year, it seems like we hear about more extreme weather events like devastating tornadoes and hurricanes, “once in a generation” snowstorms, raging wildfires, and more. In fact, Realtor.com notes that climate events pose a threat to nearly half of the homes in the country.

Unfortunately, you can’t control whether your home is in the path of a natural disaster. However, you can control how prepared you and your family will be should a disaster strike. We reached out to Laurel Waller, the manager of corporate communications–public relations at Lowe’s to learn more about what the home improvement company is doing to support community members and help them prepare for the unthinkable. Read on to learn more about the resources, supplies, and hands-on help Lowe’s has to offer.

“The Lowes.com Emergency Command Center serves as a one-stop online guide to help customers prepare, clean up, and recover from disasters and severe weather,” says Waller. The page offers links for various disaster types, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes, and under each section provides actionable tips and product recommendations to help you prepare. 

The website also includes several how-to guides to help further prepare for extreme weather and other disasters. With step-by-step instructions and videos, these guides can support individuals with varying skill levels. Below are a few guides that you may find helpful:

Being prepared for a disaster can mean the difference between life and death, literally. Be proactive and start shopping now for all the essentials you need to keep on hand. Below are some of the items Waller recommends adding to your disaster safety kit:

• Flashlights or lanterns: If the power goes out, a bright flashlight or lantern is a must. With 1,200 lumens, three lighting modes, and the ability to illuminate up to 350 meters, the Kobalt Rechargeable Spotlight Flashlight can help you find your way safely in the dark.
• Weather radio: A weather radio such as the WeatherX Weatherband AM/FM Radio with LED Flashlight, Lantern, and Emergency Siren, is another essential to have on hand during an emergency. Severe storms and other weather events can knock out power, cell service, and even landline phones. With a weather radio, you can keep track of weather updates and other essential details to help you plan appropriately and stay safe. 
• First aid kit: Don’t overlook the potential for injuries during a disaster. Waller recommends the Ready America 4 Person, 3 Day Emergency Kit. She explains that this kit “not only includes important first aid supplies, but water, food, and emergency blankets to sustain four individuals for 3 days.”
• Tarps: Having a few tarps on hand—such as this one from Project Source—can help prevent water from coming in through a damaged roof or a broken window.
• Garbage bags: Keep some garbage bags on hand to help clean up in the aftermath of a storm. Waller highlights the Contractor’s Choice 42-Gallon Contractor Bags as a heavy-duty and durable pick.
• Generators or portable power stations: If a major storm knocks out power, a generator can help keep space heaters, fans, refrigerators, cell phones, and other essential items up and running. Waller recommends the Craftsman 3650 Watt Portable Gasoline Generator. Or the Kobalt Gen4 300-Watt Portable Power Station can keep cell phones, tablets, and other smaller electronic devices powered. “Before operating a generator,” notes Waller, “it is important to review safety information.” Also at Lowe’s, the Champion Power Equipment CO Shield Electric Start 8500-Watt Dual Fuel Generator took the top spot in our tested guide to the Best Home Generators for a Power Outage.

Even with the best preparation, major natural disasters can still leave a path of destruction in their wake. Waller says, “Lowe’s priority is to be there for our associates and communities before, during, and after a natural disaster. Following disasters, our recovery efforts include distributing critically needed cleanup supplies through our Bucket Brigades; partnering with our pro nonprofit partners like the Salvation Army to support their relief efforts; and deploying our mobile Tool Rental Disaster Response Trailer to help people get both homes and businesses up and running.”

Following the advice of being prepared in advance, Lowe’s doesn’t wait until a disaster strikes to start mobilization efforts. “Lowe’s best-in-class Emergency Command Center in North Carolina and strategically located distribution facilities allow Lowe’s to expedite emergency supplies to our store communities,” Waller says. “Prior to a disaster striking, Lowe’s pre-stages trucks of product in the region to respond quickly to a variety of impacts, including power outages and wind damage.”