Just wanted to announce the first in our series of videos. Post a comment and let us know what you think.  Just click on this link to see the video:

Surviving a flood with your disaster kit 

After you watch the video, stop by MyDisasterPlan.com to create your family disaster plan and get a free emergency wallet card.

I like to bring up current events when they are applicable to our mission here at MyDisasterplan.com, so the recent train crash in Washington, DC is worth discussing here.  In a mass casualty situation like that, there can be considerable delays in contacting victim’s loved ones.  Having something in your wallet, preferably tucked behind your driver’s license, with your emergency contact information on it can be crucial during an incident like that.  When police or paramedics look for your driver’s license for your identification, they will also find your emergency wallet card.  If you have prepared properly, this card will tell them who to contact on your behalf, as well as your basic insurance and medical information.

You can get a free emergency wallet card here on this blog (look to the right of this column) or from MyDisasterPlan.com just by entering your name and email address in the spaces provided.   If you have an account with MyDisasterplan.com, you can easily print cards for each member of your family, all with their specific information.  This card is formatted to have the words “In Case Of Emergency” clearly visible above your license.  The front of the card has your emergency contact information (who to call if you are found unconscious) along with your insurance information, and emergency medical information.

You never know when tragedy will strike…we all hope it will never happen to us, but the reality is…it happens to someone each and every day.  Whether it’s a commuter train crash, or a two car accident on the freeway, every day something like this happens.  Be prepared by having your information accessible to rescuers, get your wallet card today, and keep it in your wallet at all times!

Until next time,

Patrick Krupka

The questions that I posed at the conclusion of the last blog were about drawing the line between personal responsibility, and governmental responsibility as it pertains to disaster response.   In my mind, the distinction is pretty clear. 

During the initial response, during the event and the first 24 to 72 hours afterward, the local, county, and state agencies should be responsible for immediate life safety, rescue, fire suppression, civil control (basic law enforcement), and stabilization of the community infrastructure.  During this time individuals who are not experiencing life threatening situations should rely on their emergency kits to survive and wait for the initial response to be completed.  Just like triaging patients at a large car accident, the “walking wounded”  who needed care, but were stable and in no immediate danger, waited until the more severely injured had been stabilized and transported.  After a disaster there are people who need rescue, those who need help to survive the first 24 hours, and those who are uncomfortable, mildly injured, inconvenienced, and just waiting for life to return to normal.  These folks should have a well stocked disaster kit, and a plan of action to survive as comfortably as possible for the first 72 hours after a disaster. 

In the next 72 hours and beyond, once the rescues have been mostly completed and the significantly injured and displaced have been cared for, efforts should turn to restoring basic services like water distribution, electricity, communication services, availability of groceries and fuel, and getting banks, restaurants, schools  and medical clinics open again.   This is a great time for the federal government to step in and arrange for fuel deliveries, make-shift hospitals, information and emergency supply distribution points, etc.  Local agencies should be under a lesser burden by this point so that they can deal with the effect of the disaster on their own families and organizations.

In order for this system to function as planned, however, the vast majority of citizens in the community must be personally prepared to make it through those initial 72 hours without assistance.    

I’m working on an interview with a local economics professor to delve into “recovery related economics” associated with disaster, and the best way to provide local financial recovery for a community.  Don’t worry…we’ll make it more interesting than it sounds. 

Post or email your questions about the economics of recovery, and we’ll make it interactive!

Flooding Fact Sheet

 

We frequently see interviews on television in which someone states that they’ve lived somewhere all of their lives and have never seen it flood before as they stand in front of their house with several feet of water in it.  Living in a flood-prone area means that you are more likely to flood than if you lived elsewhere, but living outside of a flood prone area does NOT mean that you won’t experience a flood.  

 

Before a flood occurs:

 

·         Contact your local American Red Cross or your local Office of Emergency Management to determine your flooding risk.  Are you near a river or lake that is likely to experience rising waters?  Is flash flooding a concern?

 

·         Learn how your community notifies residents of a flooding emergency.

 

·         If you live in a frequently flooded area, stockpile emergency supplies for flood preparation and home repair like plywood, nails and screws, shovels, sandbags, and plastic tarps.

 

·         Consider having your plumbing retrofitted with valves to prevent sewage backing up into your home.

 

·         Get a copy of your community’s flood evacuation plan and incorporate it into your Family Disaster Plan from MyDisasterPlan.com. 

 

·         Keep your 72-hour Disaster Kit (see our tip sheets on “Disaster Kits” and “go bags”) stocked, updated, and easily accessible. 

 

·         Use your MyDisasterPlan.com account to create a family communications plan within your Family Disaster Plan.  Include an out-of-town contact for all family members to call in the event that you are separated during an evacuation, or if you are in separate locations when the flooding occurs.

 

·         Know how, when and where to turn off the gas and electricity to your home if told to do so by authorities.

 

·         Seriously consider flood insurance for your home, it is usually a minor investment can deliver substantial benefits.

 

During a flood emergency:

 

·         Listen to your battery-operated radio or television for situation updates.

 

·         Stay in touch with your out-of-town contact to update them on your location and condition.  Review the back of your MyDisasterPlan.com wallet card, or your Family Disaster Plan summary.

 

·         Store as much clean water as possible, as your municipal water may become contaminated as floodwaters rise.

 

·         Secure valuable household possessions and important documents on an upper floor of your home.  Having your important documents securely stored on an off-site server with MyDisasterPlan.com offers an added measure of protection.  Keep reports from MyDisasterPlan.com stored on a flash drive in your Disaster Kit or “go bag.”

 

·         Be prepared to evacuate on short notice.  Pre-load your car with your disaster kit and any other items you will need when you evacuate and park your car facing your route of escape. 

 

·         Do not drive through flooded streets.  Even if the water does not appear to be deep, the road may be washed out or damaged. 

 

·         Do not attempt to wade through moving water, even small amounts of moving water can be deadly.

 

After the flood:

 

·         While a flood-in-progress is certainly dangerous, there are many dangers that exist after a flood as well.  Return to your home only after authorities give permission to do so.

 

·         Use extreme caution when entering a previously flooded building.  Structural integrity may have been seriously compromised, snakes, insects, and other hazards may exist in the building, and sewage may be present.

 

·         Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing from your disaster kit.  Wash your hands regularly while working in a previously flooded building, and wear a protective mask.

 

·         Watch for downed power lines; always assume they are “live” unless told by power company officials that they are safe. 

 

·         Discard all foods, even canned goods that had contact with flood waters.  Any perishable items should be discarded regardless of their contact with flood waters. 

 

·         Do not turn your electricity on until an electrician has checked your building’s wiring.   

 

·         Take pictures of the damage and have your home inventory from MyDisasterplan.com handy for comparison when you work with your insurance company.

Tornado Fact Sheet

 

While there are parts of the United States that are more likely to experience tornadoes than others, they occur in every state.  Tornadoes typically cause severe damage, but in relatively small areas.  There are, however, periodic “outbreaks” of multiple tornadoes that can inflict damage over a larger area.  Tornadoes can happen in at any time of day or night and are typically spawned from strong thunderstorms.

 

Before a tornado strikes:

 

• Be aware of current weather conditions, and at times of increased likelihood for tornado activity, get frequent updates from your local news outlet.  Consider using a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assn.) tone alert emergency weather radio.  These will sound an alarm followed by information if there is a weather warning issued for your specific area.

 

• Make sure that your information is updated in your MyDisasterPlan.com account, and review your Family Disaster Plan.

 

• Periodically check and update your Disaster Kit and “go bag” (see our fact sheets on “Disaster kits” and “go bags”).

 

• Be especially alert when strong thunderstorms are in your area.  Dark and greenish skies (caused by hail) or falling hail are signs that a thunderstorm has the potential to produce tornadoes.  Larger hail signals a stronger thunderstorm, and greater chances of tornado activity.

 

 

Tornado Watch:

 

• This means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes.  This is the time to look over your Family Disaster Plan from MyDisasterPlan.com, check your Disaster Kit, and listen to your weather radio, or local television news.

 

• Be prepared to react quickly if weather conditions deteriorate.

 

Tornado Warning:

 

• A tornado warning is issued when tornado activity is already in your area, or expected to move into your area soon.  This is the time to take action.  Review the back of your MyDisasterPlan.com wallet card, or your Family Disaster Plan summary. 

 

• Get inside a substantial structure.

 

• Stay on the lowest level of that structure.

 

• Stay away from windows and have as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

 

• Have your Disaster Kit and your “go bag” in your safe room with you (don’t forget about your pets too).

 

• Continue to monitor your battery-powered emergency radio for weather updates.

 

After a tornado:

 

• Once the storm has passed, carefully emerge from your safe room with your “go bag” and administer first aid to those around you as necessary.

 

• Continue to monitor emergency weather information, as there may still be more active storms in your area.

 

• Be very careful about downed power lines, gas leaks, unstable structures, and loose pets.  There is likely to be considerable debris that can hurt you.

 

• If possible call your out-of town contact from your Family Disaster Plan and update them on your situation and your condition.

 

• If you have sturdy, protective clothes and shoes in your disaster kit, wear them now to protect you as you navigate the debris and help others.

 

• Take pictures of the damage to your home and property to compare to your home inventory and property reports from MyDisasterPlan.com when you meet with your insurance agent.

Hurricane Fact Sheet

 

Hurricane season:

            Atlantic Hurricane season:       June 1 through November 30 annually

            Pacific Hurricane Season:         May 15 through November 30 annually          

 

Hurricane Strength ratings:

Saffir-Simpson scale:

            Tropical depression: Wind speed < 39 mph

            Tropical storm:  Wind speed 39–73 mph

            Category 1:  Wind speed 74-95 mph

            Category 2:  Wind speed 96-110 mph

            Category 3:  Wind speed 111-130 mph

            Category 4:  Wind speed 130-155 mph

            Category 5:  Wind speed >155 mph

 

Hurricane dangers:

Storm surge:  The storm surge usually comes on shore with the bulk of the storm and endangers primarily coastal areas.  Storm surges can range from a few inches to 20 feet or more depending on the strength of the storm.

           

Severe thunderstorms:  By their very nature, hurricanes contain strong thunderstorms.  The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a severe thunderstorm as having winds of at least 58 mph or hail greater than ¾” in diameter (that’s about dime-sized). A storm that spawns a tornado is obviously also considered severe.  Lightning strikes are also common with severe storms and can cause considerable damage to people and property.

           

Wind damage:  As the wind speed of a storm increases, so does the potential for wind damage.  The fastest winds usually exist close to the eye of the storm and they tend to be progressively weaker as you get farther from the eye. 

           

Flooding:  In addition to the dangers of the storm surge, flooding with any tropical system can be wide spread and devastating.  The slower a storm moves, and the wider it is determines the amount of rainfall that can be expected over a given area.  In general, the majority of the damage inflicted by tropical systems is secondary to the flooding associated with these storms.

           

Tornadoes:  Many hurricanes spawn multiple tornadoes within their rain bands as they come ashore.  These tornadoes can cause small pockets of intense local damage within the hurricane’s path, but do not account for the majority of the damage inflicted.

 

Appropriate actions:

           

Hurricane watch:  A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are expected to occur within 24 to 36 hours.   During a hurricane watch, you should do the following:

           

·         Listen to hurricane progress reports (radio, TV, Internet, etc) and have your NOAA emergency weather radio on hand.

·         Heed all evacuation recommendations from local officials

·         Check your emergency supplies and make any last-minute additions you need to your disaster kit, “go bag” etc.  (see our fact sheets on disaster kits and “go bags”)

·         Review the back of your emergency wallet card from MyDisasterPlan.com for your Family Disaster Plan summary

·         Fill your car’s fuel tank and any spare fuel containers you have (store them properly)

·         Secure your outdoor belongings like patio furniture, potted plants, etc.

·         Board up windows, close shutters, and secure outdoor antennas

·         Consider turning refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings and only open them if absolutely necessary

·         Gather drinking water in clean containers and tubs and sinks

·         Review your information in MyDisasterPlan.com, ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date

·         Download reports from MyDisasterPlan.com in PDF or print forms and keep in your disaster kit (see our fact sheets on Disaster Kits and “go bags”) especially the home inventory, family disaster plan, property report and wallet cards.

 

Hurricane Warning:  A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less.  During a hurricane warning, you should do the following:

 

·         Continue to monitor weather conditions; have a battery-operated TV or radio ready like a NOAA emergency weather radio.

·         Get out of mobile homes if at all possible, find a safe structure or evacuate

·         Secure valuables and papers in waterproof containers on the highest level of your home or in your disaster kit

·         Call your out-of-town contacts listed on your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan and let them know where you plan to be during the storm

           

During the storm:

 

·         Stay inside and stay away from windows

·         Use flashlights as needed, but avoid open flames like candles if at all possible

·         Once electrical power is lost, consider un-plugging major appliances to avoid power surges as the power returns later

·         Periodically call your out-of-town contact ( from your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan) to provide updates if possible

 

After the storm:

 

·         Give first aid as needed to your family and neighbors

·         Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger, wait for trained rescuers if at all possible

·         Check for gas leaks, downed power lines, and sewage leaks; avoid these hazards at all cost

·         Watch for snakes and insects displaced by the storm

·         Take pictures of the damage to compare to your MyDisasterPlan.com Property Report and Home Inventory (this will be valuable when dealing with your insurance agent)

MyDisasterBlog.com Wildfire Fact Sheet

 

As we’ve all seen in the news lately, wildfires have become an increasing threat to our homes and property.  Taking the correct steps to prepare for a wildfire can make the difference between having a home to return to, and having nothing.

 

Before a wildfire:

 

• Have an evacuation plan with multiple evacuation routes, be familiar with where you are going, and have a designated meeting place for family members who may be separated during the evacuation.  This information will be part of your Family Disaster Plan at MyDisasterPlan.com.

 

• Designate a “safety zone” in case all evacuation routes are burning, this should be the safest place possible near your home as a last resort if you cannot evacuate

 

• Have a well stocked, 72 hour disaster kit and “go bag” prepared in advance.  Check and update your kits regularly. (see our fact sheets on Disaster Kits and “go bags”)

 

• Plan ahead for pets and livestock

 

• Have an out-of-town contact to call with updates throughout an emergency.  It’s easiest if all family members contact the same person to relay information.  This will be part of your Family Disaster Plan at MyDisasterPlan.com.

 

• Secure copies of important papers and a well-documented Home Inventory with MyDisasterPlan.com.  You should also have reports from MyDisasterPlan.com saved on a flash drive or CD-ROMs in your disaster kit.

 

• Know which local TV and radio stations will carry live coverage, emergency broadcasts, or frequent updates in the event of a wildfire emergency. 

 

• Prepare your home and landscape by following the suggestions at www.firewise.org; clear brush, debris, and firewood from around your home, ensure that addresses are clearly marked, have adequate water supply to wet the landscape, and have a ladder that can reach your roof. 

 

• Coordinate efforts with your neighbors.  Your neighbors’ lack of preparation can increase your chances of suffering a loss in the event of a wildfire. 

 

During a wildfire emergency:

 

• Listen to a portable radio or television to stay informed of the situation.  Wildfires can be unpredictable in their movements. 

 

• Review your Family Disaster Plan from MyDisasterPlan.com, call your out-of-town contact and begin giving them regular updates on your location and progress. 

 

• Load your vehicle with your disaster supplies and valuables, park it facing your direction of escape, and keep your pets confined nearby and ready to go if told to evacuate.

 

• Prepare a note to leave at your home detailing when you left and where you went.

 

• Set up a ladder, hoses and sprinklers on your roof.  Turn on the water when embers start falling nearby. 

 

• Put on protective clothing, and have something to cover your mouth and nose*. 

 

When it’s time to evacuate:

 

• If time permits, close all of your doors, windows, air vents, etc.  Remove any light-weight curtains, pull flammable furniture into the center of the rooms away from windows, and shut off gas utilities.

 

• Turn on your interior lights.

 

• Post your prepared not on your home’s main entrance.

 

• Lock your doors.

 

• Follow your evacuation route as described in your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan, but deviate if instructed by authorities, or if your primary route is impassible.

 

• Do not try to re-enter an area that hasn’t been deemed safe by authorities yet.

 

* Most surgical and common dust masks are not effective at filtering out the small particles in the smoke that cause irritation and health problems.  Masks that are designed to filter out most of these particles will be marked with “P95”, “R95”, or “N95”.  There are even some that filter out greater than 95% of smoke particles and are labeled “P100”.  Even though these masks are good at filtering out the particles, they need to have a good seal against your face to do their job.

For those of us in the preparedness business the Months of April, May, and June are significant.  There is considerable potential for flooding as the spring thaw hits the middle of the country, tornado frequency peaks in tornado alley in May, and the Atlantic Hurricane season begins in June.  So this is when we step up our efforts to educate the masses about preparedness.  Will this year be different than any other?

Let me share an experience with you.  I was at my local Lowe’s store last weekend buying a few things for the honey-do list and I noticed while standing in line at the check-out counter, that there was a generous display of batteries and flashlights.  I said to the customer in front of me, “I guess they’re getting ready for hurricane season a little earlier this year” pointing to the display.  She said that after being caught off guard by Hurricane Ike last year (I live in Houston) she was going to make some “big changes” to her efforts this year.  Well, obviously I was curious and asked what she had planned.  She stated that she was going to get a portable generator, extra fuel cans, and had a better plan of action to handle a power outage like the one we experienced after Ike (average time without power in our area was almost 2 weeks). 

I have my suspicions (hopes?) that many in the gulf coast region will be more likely to take preparations more seriously, and have a better sense of the real issues they may face after another hurricane.   Another issue, paralleling the personal preparedness issue, is the governmental preparedness situation.  Will the county and state be ready for another major response if we have another significant storm this year?   And for the next blog post, do we (citizens) expect too much support from our local, state, and federal government responses to natural disasters?  What should they be responsible for, and what should be an individual responsibility? 

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