Family Emergency Preparedness Actions – Create a Disaster Plan

• Pick two places to meet outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home (everyone must know the address and phone numbers).
• Establish an out-of-state friend to act as a contact for separated family members.
• Show each member of the household how to turn off water, gas and electricity and consider neighbors who may need assistance.
• Monitor weather conditions on NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio – 162.400 MHz.
• Post emergency numbers by telephones.
• Listen for emergency information on local radio, TV and Cable stations and monitor Emergency Broadcast System information on the EAS (Emergency Alert System) radio stations:  WMID 1340 AM, WCMC 1230 AM, ESPN 1450 AM, WIBG 1020 AM, WOND 1400 AM, LaGRANDE 1490 AM, WKOE 106.7 FM, WAYV 95.1 FM, WZXL 100.7 FM, WZBZ 99.3 FM, WTTH  96.1 FM,  WPUR 107.3 FM, WFPG 96.9 FM, WMGM 103.7 FM, WTKU 98.3 FM, WCZT 98.7 FM, WIBG 94.3 FM and WMGM TV 40

Family Disaster Supplies Kit – Put together a disaster supplies kit for your family before a disaster strikes including the following:

• Prescription medications & medical information
• Special dietary food, if required
• First aid kits – one for your home and one for your car
• Lantern, flashlight, or other emergency lighting
• Food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked
• Rotate stored food every six months
• Personal aids, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.
• Insurance information
• Portable radio and extra batteries
• Baby supplies such as food, formula, disposable diapers, etc.
• Water in plastic jugs or other covered containers
• Change water every three months

Papers and valuables:

·        Social security cards

·        Driver’s license

·        Savings and checking account books

·        Birth certificates

·        Cash and credit cards

·        Deeds

·        Inventory of household goods

·        Marriage/death records

·        Wills

·        Stocks and bonds

·        Small valuables including cameras, watches, jewelry, etc.

Keep items in an airtight bag.

Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container.

Hurricane Information and Actions

A Hurricane Watch is issued for a coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.  It means you must take action to obtain supplies, secure your home, and prepare to evacuate.

A Hurricane Warning is issued when hurricane conditions of strong winds, high water and storm surge are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less.  It means you must take action for your safety.

Pre-Evacuation Actions

·        Fill your car with gas, check car battery and oil, flashlight and radio batteries.

·        Put your survival kit together and refill prescription drugs and obtain special medications (e.g. insulin).

·        Secure outdoor lawn furniture and loose materials, shutter windows, etc.

·        Prepare your family for evacuation.  Because it depends on the strength, location and direction of the hurricane’s movement, you may have to evacuate even before a hurricane warning is issued.

·        Make arrangements for your pets.  They will not be allowed in public shelters.

·        Top off underground tanks to prevent flotation.

·        Put together materials needed to take to a shelter such as prescription medications, special dietary food, specific medical information, personal aids, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.

·        Remember, late evacuations will take longer to clear the threatened areas – evacuate early and promptly.

·        Stay tuned for emergency information on local radio, TV and cable stations.