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Guide
to Disaster Preparedness
How to Prepare?
Listed below is information on
how to prepare for certain types of emergency situations. This information was
derived from FEMA and the Red Cross. Each of these organizations published
useful information on how to prepare for these types of emergencies. In this
day and age, it is quit easy for people to neglect to prepare for disasters.
Our nation has seen several unfortunate events in recent history and there are
still many of us that have not taken the necessary steps to prepare yourself
and families. The best safeguard against these types of emergencies is to
prepare. Everyone should have some sort of emergency plan and supplies no
matter where you life. Please take a moment and review these guidelines and
act today.
Hurricane
Preparedness
Here's what you can do to
prepare for such an emergency.
WATCH: Hurricane
conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually
within 36 hours.
WARNING: Hurricane
conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually
within 24 hours.
Prepare an Evacuation Plan
-
Identify ahead of time where you
could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home
in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
-
Keep handy the telephone numbers
of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take
alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
-
Listen to NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If
advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Assemble a
Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:
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First aid kit and essential
medications.
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Canned food and can opener.
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At least three gallons of
water per person.
-
Protective clothing,
rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
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Battery-powered radio,
flashlight, and extra batteries.
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Special items for infants,
elderly, or disabled family members.
Prepare
for High Winds
-
Install hurricane shutters
or purchase precut 1/2 outdoor plywood boards for each window of your
home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre drill holes in the plywood
so that you can put it up quickly.
-
Make trees more wind
resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically
removing branches so that wind can blow through.
Know what to
do when a Hurricane Watch is Issued
-
Listen to NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm
information.
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Prepare to bring inside any
lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging
plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
-
Prepare to cover all windows
of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as
described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking,
so taping windows is not recommended.
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Fill your car's gas tank.
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Recheck manufactured home
tie-downs.
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Check batteries and stock up
on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.
Know what to
do when a Hurricane Warning is Issued
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Listen to the advice of
local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
-
Complete preparation
activities.
-
If you are not advised to
evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
-
Be aware that the calm
"eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the
storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the
opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by
the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
-
Be alert for tornadoes.
Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain
indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without
windows.
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Stay away from flood waters.
If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you
are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get
out of the car and climb to higher ground.
Know what to
do After a Hurricane
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Keep listening to NAPA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
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If you evacuated, return
home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
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Inspect your home for
damage.
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Use flashlights in the dark;
do not use candles.
Flood
Preparedness
[Back to
Top]
Know What to
Expect
Know your area's flood risk--if
unsure, call your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office, or
planning and zoning department.
If it has been raining hard for
several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the
possibility of a flood.
Listen to local radio or TV
stations for flood information.
Reduce
Potential Flood Damage By
-
Raising your
furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home
that may be flooded.
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Consult with a
professional for further information if this and other damage reduction
measures can be taken.
Floods Can
Take Several Hours to Days to Develop
Flash
Floods Can Take a Few Minutes to a Few Hours to Develop
Prepare a
Family Disaster Plan
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Check to see if
you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood
insurance.
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Keep insurance
policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
Assemble a
Disaster Supplies Kit Containing
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First aid kit
and essential medications.
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Canned food and
can opener.
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At least three
gallons of water per person
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Protective
clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
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Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
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Special items
for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
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Written
instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities
advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back
on.)
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Identify where
you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend's home
in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
When a Flood
WATCH Is Issued
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Move your furniture and
valuables to higher floors of your home.
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Fill your car's gas tank, in
case an evacuation notice is issued.
When a Flood
WARNING Is Issued
When a Flash
Flood WATCH Is Issued
When a Flash
Flood WARNING Is Issued
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Or if you think it has already
started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act
quickly!
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Move to higher ground away from
rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . .
. they are there for your safety.
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If your car stalls in rapidly
rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
Tornado
Preparedness
[Back to
Top]
Prepare a
Home Tornado Plan
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Pick a place
where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It
could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway,
bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
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If you are
in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest
floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
Assemble a
Disaster Supplies Kit Containing
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First aid
kit and essential medications.
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Canned food
and can opener.
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At least
three gallons of water per person.
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Protective
clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.
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Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
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Special
items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
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Written
instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities
advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn natural
gas service back on.)
Stay
Tuned for Storm Warnings
-
Listen to
your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
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Know what a
tornado WATCH and WARNING means:
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A tornado
WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
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A tornado
WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area.
Go to safety immediately.
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Tornado
WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by county or parish.
When a
Tornado WATCH Is Issued...
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Listen to
local radio and TV stations for further updates.
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Be alert to
changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching
tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.
When a
Tornado WARNING Is Issued
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If you are inside, go to the
safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying
objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
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If you are outside, hurry to
the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or
low-lying area.
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If you are in a car or
mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety (as above).
After the
Tornado Passes...
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Watch out for fallen power
lines and stay out of the damaged area.
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Listen to the radio for
information and instructions.
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Use a flashlight to inspect
your home for damage.
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Do not use candles at any
time.
Earthquake
Preparedness
[Back to
Top]
Prepare
a Home Earthquake Plan
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Choose
a safe place in every room--under a sturdy table or desk or against an
inside wall where nothing can fall on you.
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Practice
DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON at least twice a year. Drop under a sturdy desk
or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against
your arm. If there's no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an
interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could
fall on you. Teach children to DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
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Choose
an out-of-town family contact.
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Consult
a professional to find out additional ways you can protect your home, such
as bolting the house to its foundation and other structural mitigation
techniques.
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Take a
first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter. Keep your training
current.
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Get
training in how to use a fire extinguisher from your local fire
department.
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Inform
baby sitters and care givers of your plan.
Eliminate
Hazards, Including--
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Bolting
bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs.
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Installing
strong latches on cupboards.
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Strapping
the water heater to wall studs.
Prepare
a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car, Including--
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First
aid kit and essential medications.
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Canned
food and can opener.
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At
least three gallons of water per person.
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Protective
clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
-
Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
-
Special
items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
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Written
instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if
authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to
turn natural gas service back on.)
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Keeping
essentials, such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes, by your bedside.
Know
What to Do When the Shaking Begins
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DROP,
COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay
indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit. Stay
away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and
sprinklers to go off during a quake.
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If you
are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
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If you
are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power
lines. Drop to the ground.
-
If you
are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above).
Stay in the car until the shaking stops.
Identify
What to Do After the Shaking Stops
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Check
yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on
long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
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Check
others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
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Look
for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas
if you smell gas or think it's leaking. (Remember, only a professional
should turn it back on.)
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Listen
to the radio for instructions.
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Expect
after shocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
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Inspect
your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
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Use
the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
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