SEVERE WEATHER IS COMING SOON: ARE YOU READY?

jaymather

Coming very soon is severe weather season, April through October.  Ponder these questions:

  • Are you ready?
  • Is your family ready?
  • Can you survive for a few days until help arrives?

Many of us have experienced the results of what can happen during a natural disaster or know of someone who has lost a home or worse lost a loved one.  Many others have volunteered to assist the victims with cleanup, donations and feeding victims and cleanup crews.

Here is a combined list of different items needed to be better prepared you and your family for severe weather.  The following information was gathered from the CDC, Dave Ramsey, other internet sites and personal experience from living in Kansas for a couple of years.

Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble the following items to create kits for use at home, the office, at school and/or in a vehicle:

  • Water—one gallon per person, per day (3­ day supply for evacuation, 2 ­week supply for home)
  • Food—non­perishable, easy­ to­ prepare items (3­ day supply for evacuation, 2­ week supply for home)
  • Flashlight
  • Battery ­powered or hand ­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7­ day supply) and medical items
  • Multi­purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Map(s) of the area

Pack the items in easy-to-carry containers, label the containers clearly and store them where they would be easily accessible. Duffle bags, backpacks, and covered trash receptacles are good candidates for containers. In a disaster situation, you may need access to your disaster supplies kit quickly – whether you are sheltering at home or evacuating. Following a disaster, having the right supplies can help your household endure home confinement or evacuation.

  • Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
  • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
  • Games and activities for children
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
  • Two-­way radios
  • Extra set of car keys and house keys
  • Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

  • Whistle
  • N95 or surgical masks
  • Matches
  • Rain gear
  • Towels
  • Work gloves
  • Tools/supplies for securing your home
  • Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Scissors
  • Household liquid bleach
  • Entertainment items
  • Blankets or sleeping bags

 Alternate Emergency Water Sources Inside and Outside Your Home

 Inside

  • Hot-water tank
  • Pipes and faucets
  • Ice cubes

Outside

  • Rain Water
  • Ponds and lakes
  • Natural Springs
  • Streams, Rivers and other moving water

For more detailed information see http://emergency.cdc.gov

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