Have you ever considered what you would do if
a disaster struck you and your family? Would you know what to do? Would you
take the right step to take to protect your life and that of your family? Many
of us assume that disasters only happen rarely and to other people. But
unpredictable weather can affect any area of the country, and recently we've
witnessed wildfires, tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters in places we
least expected.
Although natural disasters can cause
catastrophic loss of property and injuries, you can reduce their effect through
careful planning and preparation.
The first step to planning a disaster response
is to be informed. Especially if you’re new to an area, you should become
familiar with its frequent natural disasters. Identify the known
risks such as earthquakes, flood zones and frequency of extreme weather. Some
information about the area can help you understand some of the initial
responses to include in your plan. For example, if you live close to the water,
you'll likely want to have a well-thought out plan in the event of a flood.
Tornadoes are another example. As HomeAdvisor explains, “Although they are mostly associated
with the Midwest and “Tornado Alley”, no state is immune to tornadoes. Even
sunny California experienced seven of them in 2014. Therefore, it only makes
sense to take some precautions and have procedures in place in the event of a
tornado.”
After acquiring
information about your particular disaster likelihood, the next steps to
developing a plan is to consider these four questions with your family and
friends:
How will emergency
alerts and warnings be transmitted? What is your shelter plan? What
is your evacuation route? What is your communication plan?
When answering all these questions, consider
any particular needs of your family. Small children, seniors, people with special needs and even
pets can all affect how you develop and execute your plan.
Next, consider what sort of supplies you should need if there is a
disaster. Creating an emergency preparedness kit is simple, and although you
hopefully will never have to use it, it’ll be the best investment you've ever
made in the event disaster strikes. Having the following basic supplies can
make a life or death difference:
-
Water - 1 gallon per person per
day
-
Nonperishable food, such as canned
goods
-
Flashlight
-
Battery-operated or hand crank
radio and/or phone charger
-
Extra batteries
-
Medications
-
Personal hygiene items
And if disaster strikes, be ready to put your
plan into effect. None of these preparations are useful in a state of chaos, so
your plan should include designating someone to be in control.
And if a natural disaster hits, consider the
impact on your pets as well. Contact your local emergency
management office or Humane Society to see if a temporary shelter is available
for your animals. Emergency shelters for people impacted by natural disasters
can't always accept displaced animals, so your plan should provide for their
care.
You can also reach out to friends and family
members who aren’t affected by the disaster to see if they could temporarily
house your pets. Other options include making a list of pet-friendly hotels in
your area in case you have to find shelter quickly for the entire family.
When natural disasters occur, all too often
victims are unprepared, believing that such calamities only happen to other
people in other areas. Be prepared for these events, no matter how unlikely. It
may be the best plan you ever put to paper.
Bradley Davis
www.DisasterWeb.net
