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Disaster Preparedness

Are you prepared for a catastrophic natural disaster? Our Disaster Preparedness Center gives you some tips on how you can keep you and your family protected and what to do before, during, and after natural disasters our area is liable to experience.

Please be advised:

Following any natural disaster, insurance carriers will freeze your ability to secure coverage. This moratorium will last weeks and sometimes months after the disaster has subsided. If you have any concern that you may not be adequately covered, please call immediately.

The two things you need in the case of any type of natural disaster are an Emergency Kit and a Family Communication Plan. Your emergency kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Your kit should be ready long before any emergency. If you have to evacuate at a moment’s notice there won’t be time to search for the supplies you need or go shopping for them.

Since you may be required to survive on your own, make sure you have sufficient food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. Help may take hours or days. While local officials and relief will be on the scene, they rarely reach everyone immediately. Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off, so your kit should contain items to help you manage during this type of outage.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for three days (both drinking and sanitation)
  • Food, three-day supply, non-perishable
  • Battery or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties (personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local paper maps
  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Other useful links:

Download & Print the FEMA Emergency Supply List

Family Communication Plan:

  • Your family may not be together, plan how you will contact one another.
  • Create a contact card for all family members and keep them in a wallet, purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.
  • Check emergency plans with your children’s day care or school.
  • Identify a non-local friend or relative household members can notify when they are safe, they may be in a better position to communicate between
    separated families.
  • If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will
    often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know.
  • Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

Other useful links:

Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.

BEFORE A BLIZZARD

Blizzard Disaster PreparednessAs beautiful as new fallen snow can be, it can also be disruptive, destructive, and deadly. Heavy snow on roadways can make for dangerous driving. Snow on power lines can also cause power outages that can last for days. Being prepared for heavy snowfall and having extra emergency supplies on hand is the best way to make sure your family stays safe both during and after the storm.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for three days (both drinking and sanitation)
  • Food, three-day supply, non-perishable
  • Battery or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties (personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local paper maps
  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Family Communication Plan:

  • Your family may not be together, plan how you will contact one another.
  • Create a contact card for all family members and keep them in a wallet, purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.
  • Check emergency plans with your children’s day care or school.
  • Identify a non-local friend or relative household members can notify when they are safe, they may be in a better position to communicate between
    separated families.
  • If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will
    often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know.
  • Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO HELP YOU PREPARE AND STAY SAFE:


WE CARE ABOUT YOUR SAFETY! PLEASE LET US KNOW IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. PLEASE TAKE CARE, HEED THE WARNINGS AND STAY SAFE!!

BEFORE A FLOOD

  • Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
  • Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
  • Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
  • Consider installing “check valves” to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.

DURING A FLOOD:

  • Listen into your favorite news channels or social media to stay updated.
  • If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait for instructions to move. Flash floods can occur in streams, drainage channels, and canyons with or without typical warning signs like clouds or heavy rain. Be aware and avoid these areas.

AFTER A FLOOD

  • Avoid floodwaters as the water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, raw sewage and other debris that could cause injury.
  • Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewer systems are serious health hazards.
  • Listen for news reports to learn if the water supply is safe to drink.
  • Keep a manageable schedule. Make a list and do jobs one at a time.
  • Talk to others and seek help. Community programs such as the Red Cross may be able to provide you with financial or emotional assistance during this time.

BEFORE & DURING A TORNADO:

  • Go to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news or official social media accounts for updated emergency information. Follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials. 
  • Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
  • Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
  • Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
  • Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
  • Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
  • If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.

AFTER A TORNADO:

  • Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
  • Contact your healthcare provider or 911 if you are injured and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and continue to shelter in place.
  • Wear appropriate gear during clean-up such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris

Contact us with any questions, we're here to help.