Preparing for Natural Disasters

Objective  Determine your exposure to specific natural events & prepare to survive

Hurricanes, Winter Storms, Tornados and other natural disasters can cut you off from your normal supplies of power water and food and emergency assistance. They can also destroy your shelter.

No matter what the natural disaster, they all have the same basic planning elements:

• Shelter - in -place
• Emergency Relocation
• Travel Plan
• Imminent Preparations
• Survival Supplies
• Alternate sources of water, food and power

Evaluate what natural disasters you face and include those preparations in your overall survival plan.

Know what to prepare for.  What natural disasters can occur in your area? What would be the effect on you and your home?

Determine what supplies you need: clothing, food, water, shelter, medical and safety.

Preparations

CLOTHING - Be prepared to dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing depending on the weather. Be sure to pack long and short sleeve shirts, a pair of shorts, a pair of jeans, good walking shoes and socks, and a wind-breaker rain jacket.

FOOD - Pack non-perishable items that are easy to eat, such as protein or energy bars, and canned snack-sized fruit. Be sure to pack enough water.

EMERGENCY SHELTER - Pack a sleeping bag and tent for shelter, and pack some money for both kits.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING - Pack a flashlight and a battery-powered radio for safety. Consider purchasing solar or crank rechargeable lights and radios, and maybe some glow sticks. Candles should only be used if there is no possibility of gas leaks and always place them where they can be watched so that they do not cause a fire.  Consider buying an LED headlamp. LED lights last a LONG time on batteries, and a headlamp leaves both of your hands free to cook, do dishes, read, or many other things.

If you use candles, DON'T use them if there are gas leaks, explosive gases in the area, and IF you do, unless there is a gas leak, explosive gases, make sure it is placed SAFELY to AVOID FIRE, and watch them in case there are children around, so they do not get knocked over and start a fire. Get and use "Glow sticks" instead, use candles as a last resort for lighting needs. IF you smell gas, hear any "hissing noises" near you, especially around a gas line, DON'T use candles to find it. GET OUT OF THAT AREA IMMEDIATELY.

FOOD - For the house kit, pack additional food and water and know what important items you want to take with you if you need to evacuate.

WATER- Realize that you can not count on water from your tap, and water can be contaminated, so you need to store enough water for drinking, and additional water for cooking (if you have a camp stove), flushing a commode, and washing.

DOCUMENT SECURITY - Have a waterproof, fireproof lock box where you keep all of your important papers. In case of emergency, you can grab the box and go.

Make a list of items that you would grab if you have time to evacuate (photos, family heirlooms). Keep the list with your other disaster kit items.

MEDICAL - Have a well stocked emergency medical kit at home and a smaller one in a separate bug-out-bag. Include a supply of necessary medications and rotate them to keep them fresh.

WHERE OT STORE - Place the kit in an interior closet or basement if you're in a tornado-threatened area, and on a higher level if you are concerned about flooding or earthquakes.

PETS - Don't forget your pets, and be sure to have enough food and water for them. (In fact you can prepare kits for your pets to! Be sure to include, a package of food, water, a portable carrying cage, and anything else your pet would need in a safe, accessible place.)

PERSONAL PROTECTION - Consider including a firearm and ammunition. Looters often take advantage of overtaxed emergency services.

CASH RESERVE - Don't forget cash. Make sure to have cash in small bills such as ones, fives and tens. This is crucial in case ATM machines are disabled and banks are closed. Also, many convenience stores do not accept large bills.

EMERGENCY POWER - If you live in an area prone to disasters that cause extended power outages seriously consider keeping a portable generator on hand. The generator should have a capacity of at least 5700-watts - this will power a small house except central air-conditioning and other 220 volt loads. If you have time to prepare, fill at least six, 5-gallon plastic gas containers with gasoline to power the generator. Gasoline is one of the first commodities to become scarce in an emergency - so plan ahead. As an alternative consider installing a propane tank for backup heaters and fuel for your backup generator.

If you have a generator, be sure it is installed properly. If it is feeding power back into the electrical grid outside of your home it could injure or kill utility workers who are attempting to restore power in your area.