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With spring weather on the way, I would
like to pass on some valuable information to our citizens that could
help prevent injuries.
During this time of year we experience
threatening weather -- from spring through early summer.
Thunderstorms, flooding and tornadoes could occur in our county.
Having a prepared plan for your family is very important, as is an
emergency plan for our city. Our city and county has disaster plans
ready for activation when threatened by severe weather, fires, or
other emergencies. By creating a basic plan for your home and family,
you could buy some time until city and county emergency plans are
placed into effect. Depending on the nature and size of the disaster,
time will be needed for emergency personnel, supplies, and equipment
to arrive to meet the needs of the effected areas. Shelters would be
opened quickly, but personal needs of people seeking shelter could be
delayed. Having a disaster supply kit will help you manage in almost
every kind of crisis, whether natural or man-made. However, each
situation requires a specific kind of preparation and action.
During thunderstorms with heavy rain and
possible flooding, we should stay tuned to our radios, scanners, or TV
for updates. The same holds true for tornado watches or warnings with
reports of large hail.
Preventing isolation of your evacuation
routes to a safe place is very important, especially if road
conditions start changing due to flooding or washouts. Watch for flash
flooding in your area. This could occur without rain clouds or rain in
the immediate area. Avoid low-lying areas such as drainage channels or
roads. Never walk through moving water more than six inches deep.
Watch for downed electrical lines, avoid contact with flood waters, if
possible, due to possible contamination. Discard any food that has
been in contact with flood water. If your vehicle stalls in water,
exit it and move to higher ground. Cars can be easily swept away in
just two feet of moving water. Please evacuate if instructed to by
authorities, and return home only when they say it's safe. Emergency
personnel will not have time to argue with you, time will be limited
for alerting people to evacuate.
For tornadoes, designate a shelter area
in your home. Basements or storm cellars are the safest. Otherwise,
use an interior room or hallway on the ground floor. Practice getting
to your home shelter area with family members, especially young
children.
If you live in a mobile home, find a
sturdy building nearby where you can take shelter. Mobile homes offer
little protection in a tornado. Know the locations of designated
shelter areas in places like schools, or available cellars that your
neighbors may have. Having a flashlight, battery powered radio,
drinking water and a first aid kit would be valuable to your family.
After a tornado, watch for debris especially broken glass and downed
power lines. If you evacuated your home, and upon returning find it
has structure damage, don't enter the home until approved for your
safety.
Having a plan is one of the most
important steps you can take in disaster preparedness. Knowing what to
do, and how to do it, can help your family manage disasters with less
worry,fear and uncertainty. Additional planning may be needed if you
have bedridden or handicapped family members who are alone during the
day or night.
Being knowledgeable of your child's
school evacuation policy will prevent stress and worry in an event.
Talk with your children about events that they could, or will,
experience during a storm. Children can be traumatized by disasters,
whether it is experienced first-hand or seen on television. Building
their trust in adults such as teachers or emergency workers, who can
protect them during a disaster, will help prevent additional stress to
the child. Make sure they know as soon as the disaster clears, you
will return for them.
I hope that we never need to put any of
this in action, but this information will help, should you or your
family ever need it. |
