Mitigation: Actions considered long before an emergency occurs and includes any activity aimed at reducing the probability of damage from a disaster.

Mitigation strengthens the structure of you home to protect it from hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. Mitigation helps business and industry avoid damages to their facilities and remain operational in the face of catastrophe.

Preparedness: Actions taken to save lives before and during a natural disaster. It ensures people are ready for a disaster and respond to it effectively.

Preparedness requires figuring out what you’ll do if essential services break down, developing a disaster plan, and practicing the plan. Preparedness activities include forecasting and warning systems, stocking an emergency preparedness kit with supplies, and knowing where your nearest emergency shelter is.

Response: Occurs after the onset of a disaster.

Response is intended to provide emergency assistance for casualties, including search and rescue, shelters, and medical care, to reduce the probability or extent of secondary damage through such measures as anti-looting security patrols, and to reduce damage by efforts such as sandbagging against floodwaters.

Recovery: Activities continue immediately following a disaster.

The purpose of recovery activities is to return all systems and services back to normal. Local communities and State governments can do what they can to bring about recovery,. When those resources are gone, Federal loans and grants can help. Funds are used to rebuild homes, businesses and public facilities, to clear debris and repair roads and bridges, and to restore water, sewer and other essential services.

It's important for all of us to know the steps each of us can take before a disaster strikes to reduce the loss of lives and property.