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State Emergency Guide

Arizona Emergency Preparedness

Official emergency management contacts, disaster risks, kit checklists, and action plans for Arizona residents.

Wildfires Flash Floods Drought
5
FEMA Region
3
Active Risks
Monsoon Flooding (2019)
Latest Declaration

State Emergency Management Agency

Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs

Sign up for your county's emergency alert system for real-time warnings. FEMA Region 5 also provides free CERT training and Ready.gov resources.

Arizona Risk Profile

Wildfires

View full preparedness guide →
Drought

View full preparedness guide →

Emergency Kit Checklist

Minimum 72-hour supply. For Arizona, plan for 7 days due to wildfires risk.

Water

  • ✓ 1 gallon per person per day (7-day supply)
  • ✓ Water purification tablets
  • ✓ Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw)
  • ✓ Collapsible water containers

Food

  • ✓ 7-day supply of non-perishables
  • ✓ Manual can opener
  • ✓ Portable camp stove + fuel
  • ✓ High-calorie energy bars

Communication

  • ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
  • ✓ Backup phone charger / power bank
  • ✓ Printed emergency contact list
  • ✓ Whistle + signal mirror

Arizona-Specific Extras

  • ✓ N95 respirators for smoke
  • ✓ Go-bag ready in 5 minutes
  • ✓ Phone charger in car
  • ✓ Air purifier with HEPA filter
Not sure how much to store? Use our Emergency Kit Estimator or Water Storage Calculator for exact quantities.

Make Your Emergency Plan

A physical kit is only half the equation. Every household needs a written plan that everyone knows.

1

Identify two meeting places

One near home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.

2

Designate an out-of-state contact

It's often easier to reach someone across the country during a local emergency. Everyone calls the same number.

3

Know your shelter-in-place option

Create defensible space around your home and have a go-bag ready to grab in 5 minutes. Sign up for local evacuation alerts — wildfires can move faster than people expect.

4

Sign up for county emergency alerts

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs coordinates alerts. Visit your county's emergency management website to register for text and email warnings.

5

Practice once a year

Do a full drill — where do you go, what do you grab, how do you communicate? Muscle memory matters in a real emergency.

Critical Documents to Protect

Photo IDs and passports
Insurance policies (home, health, auto)
Birth certificates and Social Security cards
Medical records and prescription list
Bank account and financial records
Property deeds and vehicle titles
Emergency contacts and utility account numbers
Will, power of attorney, and legal documents

Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof box. Keep digital copies in a secure cloud service. Keep photocopies in your go-bag.

Resources & Tools

Preparedness Guides

Interactive Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest natural disaster risks in Arizona?
Arizona faces significant risks from wildfires, flash floods, drought. Residents should have emergency plans specifically addressing these hazards.
Which FEMA region is Arizona in?
Arizona is part of FEMA Region 5. Your regional FEMA office coordinates disaster response and provides preparedness resources specific to your area.
What emergency kit should Arizona residents have?
Every Arizona household should have at minimum a 72-hour emergency kit including water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, medications, and important documents. Given Arizona's risk of wildfires, consider adding n95 respirators for smoke.
What is Arizona's emergency management agency?
The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is the state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and disaster response in Arizona.
Has Arizona had recent FEMA disaster declarations?
Yes. Recent FEMA disaster declarations in Arizona include Monsoon Flooding (2019) and Severe Winter Storm (2018). These declarations unlocked federal assistance for affected residents.