A York County coalition wants Fort Mill and Tega Cay households to use September to prepare for the next emergency.

United Way of York County is spotlighting the York County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (YC-COAD) during National Preparedness Month, urging residents to build financial and community resilience alongside the usual go-bag of batteries and bottled water. The organization laid out its case in a blog post published Wednesday, Sept. 2, written by Development Director Helen Zimmerman.

YC-COAD brings together nonprofits, healthcare providers, faith groups, businesses and local government so they can share information, coordinate resources and identify unmet needs after a disaster. The coalition also works to reduce duplication of services and help families move toward recovery.

United Way's pitch: organizations that build relationships before an emergency respond faster when one hits.

Financial hits add up fast

United Way frames financial stability as a core piece of preparedness. The organization notes that households already stretched thin can face lasting harm from even a minor emergency.

A few days without work shrink a paycheck. A prolonged power outage means replacing a refrigerator full of groceries. Evacuating brings unexpected hotel, transportation and meal costs. Storm damage can mean paying an insurance deductible or covering repairs insurance does not.

For Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households, those working but struggling to cover basic expenses, one bad week can spiral into months of recovery.

Four steps United Way recommends

The blog post lists four actions households can take this month:

  • Build supplies. Stock shelf-stable foods, water and batteries.
  • Build a plan. Decide where to go, how family members will communicate and what to grab first.
  • Build a financial safety net. Set aside emergency savings where possible, review insurance coverage and keep important documents in one accessible place.
  • Build connections. Get to know neighbors and save community resource phone numbers.

United Way also offers a downloadable "United We Prepare Disaster Guide" with checklists and local resources. The guide is available on United Way of York County's community resiliency page.

How to get involved

Residents or organizations interested in joining YC-COAD or learning more can contact Kristin Taylor, United Way of York County's director of community partnerships and initiatives, at [email protected].

National Preparedness Month runs through September.