Black Umbrella

09/11/2026

"Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan...

Dear New York, I hope you're doing well
I know a lot's happened and you've been through hell...

Since 9/11, we're still livin'
And lovin’, life we've been given...

Dear New York, I know a lot has changed
2 towers down, but you're still in the game"

- Beastie Boys' An Open Letter to NYC

11/21/2025

Black Umbrella x Black Friday! Get 10% off any of our ultra-premium emergency kits using code BFCM10. Protect what matters most!

08/08/2025

🌪Hurricane experts at NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center are now predicting an above-average storm season, and that they still expect 5 - 9 hurricanes before the season ends on Nov. 30. The new forecast predicts as many as 18 named storms!

🧯Now is a great time to prepare!

07/29/2025

📢 will be cutting $1B from their budget for communities to be better prepared for disasters, and terror and cyberattacks. You are on your own now! 😱

🌪With active hurricane season fast approaching, and 🔥wild fires in full swing, the time to prepare is now! Get your shelter in place kits and 🎒go bags ready, since no one is coming to get you now.

06/30/2025

Get your freedom from worrying about disasters with our July 4th sale. 15% off all of our ultra-premium emergency kits!

06/03/2025

projecting a very active and above average hurricane season! Forecasters calling for 13-19 named storms (6-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major Cat3+ storms).

This is a good time to get prepared before they arrive. Stock 🏡 with extra 🚰 🥫 🔋 📻 🛠️ 💊 💴

05/05/2025

People with disabilities often feel the impact of disasters first and worst. Here are ideas on how to prepare if you are mobility challenged:

🪫 Have backup power for any needed medical devices
⚡ Inform Power Co of your needs to get on their priority list
✅ Create a disability-specific evac checklist
🛌 Identify appropriate hotels you can go to in advance
🎒 Have Go-bags ready so you can leave quickly and early
💊 Always keep extra prescription meds on hand and in Go-bags



Great article from The New York Times with more details:

Having a plan in case you need to evacuate or lose power is essential.

12/19/2024

California Declares an Emergency Over Bird Flu in Cattle. Nothing to freak out about yet, but keep your eye on this one as it could spread.

Officials have discovered the virus in 645 dairy herds, more than in any other state so far.

12/19/2024

From last week's San Francisco tsunami warning, has an excellent article on building your own disaster kit for busy techies to be ready for the next one.

A twofold panic washed over Northern California last week. The first was very immediate when everyone’s phones got the same alert: an unexpected tsunami warning sparked by a rare 7.0 magnitude earthquake 40 miles off Cape Mendocino. In the end, it was a false alarm, and the warning was canceled. ....