It has happened in every state in
America, every U.S. territory and the District of Columbia. It happens
an average of 31 times each year. It could happen soon where you live.
Are you prepared for a disaster?
Since 1953 there have been 1,745 disasters which received a
presidential declaration. The first of the numbered disasters was a
tornado in Georgia. Southern California wildfires that raged last fall received declaration number 1,731 and
caused one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history. Severe storms ripped through Tennessee and Arkansas recently to
push the number to 1,745.
Each number represents an event that was too destructive for state and
local governments to manage without federal help. Many disasters force
residents out of their homes. Residents who remain often go days
without water, lights, and energy to cook food or heat their homes.
Is your family prepared for a disaster?
“We urge every home to have a well-rehearsed disaster plan and an
emergency supply kit at the ready,” said Henry Renteria of the
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Mike Hall
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (REMA) in a joint statement.
“There is no substitute for preparedness. Luck may be helpful, but
preparedness is vital.”
OES and FEMA remind families that all household members may not be
together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance.
How will family members contact one another and get back together; how
will they handle each of the wide variety of threatening scenarios that
communities could encounter? There is much to consider.
Emergency Information
Families should first learn the kinds of disasters, both natural and
man-made, that are most likely to occur in their area. Regions may
experience a variety of disruptions, including earthquakes, tornados,
wildfires, flood, and severe storms. Some communities have a reverse
9-1-1 system where households and businesses are notified when a
problem is on the horizon. In other communities – when time permits –
emergency workers go door-to-door. More commonly, emergency information
is broadcast over radio and TV.
Here are basic tips to start you on your emergency preparedness journey.
Your Family Emergency Plan
- Give every member of
your family a list of important phone numbers and a place to meet if
you have to evacuate.
-
Talk through the
evacuation plan and practice it.
- When making your
plan, consider the needs of small children, older adults, and anyone
with special needs.
-
Plan for pets.
-
A long-distance phone
call may be easier to connect than a call across town, so pick an
out-of-town contact to serve as an information hub for separated family
members.
-
If your family has
cell phones, text messaging often works when voice lines are not
available.
Is your neighborhood prepared for a
disaster?
In a major disaster, your family will not be in this alone. Talk to
your neighbors about how to pull together to help one another. Ask
about emergency plans at work, daycare and school. Volunteer to help
create a disaster plan and to assemble an emergency supply kit wherever
needed.
Disaster number 1,746 could strike anywhere. Be informed, stay prepared.
For more information about disaster planning and how to assemble an
emergency supply kit, visit
www.ready.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for,
preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering
from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including
acts of terror.
Reprinted with
permission from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for
information purposes only and should not be considered as an
endorsement of this company or its website. FEMA release date: February 19, 2008.