The average person is not prepared for a disaster. That's why, when a major storm is announced just days in advanced, many scramble for supplies, only to find that most stores are out of essentials. Be ahead of everyone and secure in times of emergency by developing a disaster preparedness plan.

What do you have to consider when developing a disaster preparedness plan? Consider all of the basics for survival: food and water, first aid, light, and communication. Although light and communication are not entirely essential, food and water are and must be addressed first in disaster preparedness. So, where do you start?

Because water is necessary for hydration, hygiene, and food preparation, start accumulating it months, if not years, in advance. Rain barrels and water storage tanks are popular options. In both, water builds up over time, and in the event a disaster occurs, you may have several hundred to several thousand gallons for use. Realize that, if you choose this method, you also need a purification or filtration system, as the water in storage is still in a raw – or undrinkable – state.

Similarly, a year's worth of food should be gathered over time. But, rather than items that will spoil in a year, opt for a disaster preparedness kit of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods. Packaged in #10 cans or mylar pouches in a bucket, such disaster preparedness kits last five to 25 years under the right conditions: no light and no moisture.

To prepare freeze-dried food, you need to heat water and add it to a serving. The water rehydrates the food, and in minutes, it is ready to eat. Kits can contain enough entrees and cans of individual vegetables, fruit, dairy, carbohydrates, and protein to last a year. In terms of preparation, this variety allows you to simply heat a prepared entrée or make your own out of a combination of rehydrated individual items.

Portability must also be factored into your disaster preparedness plan, as an evacuation may be required for your area. How will you grab food and water? Although portable water storage tanks and canned emergency water are available, freeze-dried food is easily transported as a bucket. Brands like Wise Foods and Lindon Farms package all foods in pouches, which are then added to a bucket that is easy to grab in an emergency.

As you build up both areas in your disaster preparedness plan, also consider lighting, communication, and first aid. Much like emergency food, a first aid kit needs to be portable and must contain enough supplies for your household. Lighting and communication must be able to function without electricity. To be reliable and self-powering, these devices should have a hand-crank and solar feature.