When H1N1 flu hit in 2009, plenty of people panicked. This flu was unknown and scary. But even more upsetting than the illness was the chaos to daily life it brought.

School officials prepared to close schools if necessary, and in some areas schools did close. Health officials advised anyone sick with the flu to stay home for at least a week.

Workplaces faced the possibility of conducting business with a severely reduced staff. Parents struggled with how long they could stay home from work with sick children or children home from schools that were closed.

Retail stores wondered how to stay open if the flu slowed or stopped delivery of supplies. Hospitals looked for alternative care sites as people with the flu filled their empty beds and used all their ventilators.

H1N1 raised important questions and motivated some people to look for answers. They were fully aware that a new strain of influenza or a different emergency could spring on them at any time and they wanted to be better prepared.

People who live in the South and Midwest United States are prepared for natural disaster. They face devastating tornadoes and hurricanes every year. Most homes have emergency stockpiles of food and supplies stored in protective shelters. Families have talked about where they'll meet if they're separated and who they'll call.

They've learned from experience. But that's not the case in the Pacific Northwest. When Ice Storm hit in 1996, few people in North Idaho could find flashlights after the area lost power. The storm left some people without power for weeks. Buildings collapsed and roads were damaged.

But it was a one-time event and life returned to normal eventually. People here have few expectations of disaster because it so rarely happens. But it does happen and without notice. It's better to be prepared and never face disaster than to be unprepared when disaster hits.

Preparing for disaster is a great family activity. Studies show that people who have supplies and plans make it through emergencies better than people who don't.

Every home needs a good first-aid kit, and not just for disasters. It also needs an emergency kit with a flashlight and batteries, hand sanitizer, poncho, matches, bottled water and food bars. In an emergency such as Hurricane Katrina, an emergency kit with water to drink, food bars to eat, a light and a way to clean would provide much-needed relief for someone waiting on a roof for rescue.

For emergencies like Ice Storm or H1N1, a stockpile of food, water and emergency supplies is a great help. Canned, dehydrated or freeze-dried food stays good through power outages. Canned fruits and vegetables need to be eaten within a year. Canned meats and fish last three to five years. Dehydrated and freeze-dried food lasts up to 30 years.

Stockpiles should include one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation.

A stockpile of food and supplies enables you to stay home and away from other people during illness outbreaks. If you're sick, you may not want to infect others. If you're not sick, you may not want to expose yourself to people who are sick.

Emergency supplies should include a can opener, diapers and other baby supplies if there's a baby in the home, a hand-crank or battery operated radio, soap, extra clothes and medications. Ready.gov is a good site for recommendations of emergency supplies.

An emergency plan gives everyone in the family steps to follow, which can be a great relief if the family is apart when an emergency occurs. All family members should have the same out-of-town contact and have the number memorized or programmed into their cell phones. Families should have an agreed-upon meeting place if home is inaccessible.

Ready.gov has emergency plan worksheets with information every family member should have. It also offers plans to help businesses continue to operate during emergencies.

Plans and supplies can raise the chances of survival for you and your family during a disaster. When the next Ice Storm hits, be the one on your block who's prepared. For more information on preparing for disaster, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov.

Cynthia Taggart is the public information officer for the Panhandle Health District. She can be reached at ctaggart@phd1.idaho.gov.