There are plenty of emergencies out there to plan for. Let’s take the zombie apocalypse, for example. Yep, you heard that right – z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. Sounds funny now, but when the undead rise, you’ll be glad you read this. And who knows – you might even pick up a few practical tips for real-world disasters while you’re at it.
A Brief History of Zombies
We’ve all watched at least one zombie flick (my favorite is Resident Evil), but have you ever stopped to ask where the idea of zombies came from, and why they’re so obsessed with brains? The term “zombie” originates from Haitian and New Orleans voodoo traditions. Over time, the meaning has shifted, but it originally described a dead body brought back to life through mysterious forces. These voodoo and folklore influences helped inspire modern hits like The Walking Dead.
In pop culture, zombies are usually shown as the result of a virus that spreads through bites or contact with infected bodily fluids. Harvard psychiatrist Steven Schlozman created a fictional medical explanation for the zombies in Night of the Living Dead, naming it Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome, caused by a contagious agent. In The Zombie Survival Guide, the virus is known as Solanum. Other zombie stories blame causes like space radiation (as in Night of the Living Dead), or mutated diseases such as rabies, mad cow, prions, or even measles.
Zombies have become such a big part of modern media that some people genuinely wonder if a zombie outbreak could actually happen. In these apocalyptic tales, zombies overrun entire countries, wandering the streets and attacking anything alive. This growing interest has made people ask: “What should I do if the zombie apocalypse really happens?”
That’s where we come in. Let’s talk about how to prepare for the walking dead, and maybe get you ready for more realistic emergencies, too.
Better Safe than Sorry
So, what should you do before zombies, or something more likely, like a hurricane or pandemic, show up? The first step is putting together a home emergency kit. You’ll want supplies that can help you get through the first few days, whether you're trying to reach a safe zone free of zombies or waiting for power and services to come back after a storm. Here are some basics to include, and for a full list, check out the CDC’s emergency preparedness page.
Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Food (non-perishable items you actually like and eat)
Medications (include both prescription and over-the-counter)
Tools and Supplies (think utility knife, duct tape, a battery-powered radio, etc.)
Sanitation and Hygiene (bleach, soap, towels, and other cleaning items)
Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for everyone and some blankets)
Important Documents (copies of IDs, passports, birth certificates, and more)
First Aid Supplies (these won’t help if you’re bitten by a zombie, but they’ll come in handy for treating cuts or scrapes from a natural disaster)
After you’ve gathered your emergency kit, the next important step is to create a family emergency plan. This means figuring out where you’d go and who you’d contact if the unthinkable happened, like zombies outside your door. The same plan can be used in case of a flood, earthquake, or other emergency where you need to act quickly.
Identify the types of emergencies that could happen where you live.
Aside from a zombie outbreak, this could mean floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. If you're not sure what’s most likely in your area, your local Red Cross chapter can help you find out.
Choose a meeting spot for your family in case you get separated.
If zombies break into your home or you’re forced to evacuate due to a hurricane, it’s important to have a place to regroup. Pick one spot right outside your house for immediate situations, and another outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home right away.
Know who to call during an emergency.
Make a list of emergency contacts. Include local services like police, fire department, and yes, even a local zombie response team if you have one. Also choose one out-of-state contact you can check in with to keep your family updated if you get separated.
Figure out how you’ll get out of town.
If zombies are on the move, they’ll stop at nothing to find food, so you need to act fast. Plan your evacuation route ahead of time and think of more than one way to escape. This kind of plan is just as important during natural disasters when you might need to find shelter quickly.
Never Fear – CDC is Ready
If zombies ever started roaming the streets, the CDC would handle it like any other outbreak. They would launch an investigation just as they do for real disease threats. The CDC would offer technical help to local, state, or even international officials dealing with the zombie problem. This help could include advice from experts, lab testing, patient care support, contact tracing, and efforts to stop the spread, like isolation or quarantine when needed.
An investigation like this would likely focus on several key goals:
Finding out what’s causing the illness
Identifying where the infection, virus, or toxin came from
Learning how it spreads and how fast it moves between people
Figuring out how to stop the spread and prevent new infections
Discovering the best ways to treat those already affected
Alongside researchers trying to uncover the source and develop a cure, the CDC, along with other federal agencies, would send out medical teams and emergency responders to help people in the impacted areas. (And yes, the young, eager disease detectives will definitely be volunteering for field duty!)
Mary Watson
