As extreme weather events increase, Australians are asking: what really helps us get through disasters – not just physically, but emotionally and economically? Emergency kits and insurance are vital, but there’s another layer of preparedness often overlooked: the strength of your local relationships.

The truth is, building stronger ties with those around you can be just as important as backup generators and sandbags. Whether you’re a business owner, sole trader or community member, your survival may well depend on the people nearby.

Here’s five practical actions you can take now to prepare for the worst

1. Build 3 types of networks

Disasters don’t discriminate, but recovery does. People with stronger networks tend to get help faster and recover better.

Start by understanding the three key types of ties:
• Bonding ties: close relationships with family and friends (your first line of support)

• Bridging ties: links to people outside your immediate circle (other business owners, sporting clubs, community groups)

• Linking ties: connections to people in positions of power (council staff, emergency services, government programs)

These relationships aren’t just good for business, they’re essential for resilience. So, join that community association. Show up at local events. Speak with your council. A strong network gives you more than company – it gives you backup.

2. Spend time in community spaces

It’s not just who you know, it’s where you show up. Community spaces like parks, libraries, cafes and regional pubs are where relationships are forged. They’re also where trust and awareness become crucial when disaster strikes. These places often become co-ordination hubs in emergencies. Being a regular face means people are more likely to check on you, share vital information or offer help. A simple chat at your local café could lay the foundation for lifesaving co-operation when the chips are down.

3. Organise neighbourhood support systems

In almost every disaster, help arrives first from next door, not from official agencies. That’s why knowing your neighbours and having a plan can be the difference between vulnerability and safety. Start small. Who lives nearby? What are their needs? Can you build a phone tree? Who checks in on the elderly? Where’s your nearest muster point?

If you run a business: how could your premises support others? Could you share storage or power? Could neighbours help you move stock in a flash flood? These conversations are best had before the emergency, not during one.

4. Advocate for social infrastructure

We often think of infrastructure as roads and levees, but social infrastructure (the physical and digital places and spaces where people meet) can be just as critical. When people know and trust each other, they act quickly and effectively in a crisis. If you’re passionate about your community, speak up. Support projects that bring people together, not just those that divert water or stop the flames. Push for spaces where people of all backgrounds feel safe and welcome. That’s where resilience starts.

5. Commit to staying and rebuilding together

After disaster, it’s tempting to leave. But research shows communities that commit to recovery together bounce back faster and stronger than those that scatter.

Here’s how:
• Form a recovery group
• Share knowledge
• Offer support
• Celebrate small wins
• Businesses can work together in shared premises, bulk buying for repairs, joint grant applications or pop-up markets.

Recovery is hard, but it’s made easier when it’s shared.

The bottom line

Preparing for disaster isn’t just about what you have. It’s about who you know, and how well you’re connected. Strong communities are built long before the storm hits—and they’re what pull us through when it does.

If you only do one thing to get disaster-ready this month, make it this: connect with those around you. Your neighbours, fellow business owners, local councillors, and community groups. These relationships could save your livelihood or your life.

This information draws on the research of Professor Daniel Aldrich, currently in Australia working with Renae Hanvin and Resilient Ready to develop a National Social Capital and Social Infrastructure Measurement Framework, a world-first initiative funded by the Australian Government to better understand and strengthen the human networks that help communities connect, survive and thrive.