Chapter 26

1. Chapter 26 Disaster Preparedness

2. Natural Disasters • Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornados claim many lives each year. • You need to be informed to protect yourself and others.

3. Earthquake • A sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. • Can cause: • Buildings and bridges to collapse • Disrupt gas, electric, and phone service • Trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires, and tsunamis

4. What to Do During an Earthquake • If indoors, take cover. • If outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, etc. • If in a vehicle, pull over and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. • If you are trapped in debris, do not panic. • Learn to turn off your gas supply.

5. Flood • With the exception of fire, floods are the most common natural disaster. • Pay attention to flash flood warnings. • Be especially aware of storms in the hills above you.

6. What to Do During a Flood • Be aware of the likelihood of flooding. • Listen to the radio or television stations for information. • If local authorities issue a flood watch, prepare to evacuate. • Do not walk through moving water. • Do not drive into flooded areas. • If flood water rises around your car and you cannot drive out, abandon your car and move to higher ground.

7. Heat Wave • In extreme heat and high humidity, cooling of the body by evaporation is slowed. • Difficult for the body to maintain normal body temperature • People living in urban areas may be at greater risk.

8. What to Do During a Heat Wave • Stay in the coolest location. • Drink plenty of water regularly. • Never leave children or pets in vehicles. • Dress in loose-fitting clothes. • Protect your face and head when outdoors. • Avoid too much sunshine. • Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. • Spend at least 2 hours in an air-conditioned place. • Check on family, friends, and neighbors.

9. Hurricane • A tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of at least 74 miles per hour • Can bring torrential rains, high winds, and flooding

10. What to Do During a Hurricane • Listen to the radio or television stations for local information. • Secure your home. • If you are not evacuating, prepare for the worst. • If you are evacuating, prepare backpacks to take your disaster supplies to the shelter. • Fuel your vehicle and review evacuation routes.

11. Landslides • Occur in almost every US state when masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope • May be small or large and can move at slow or high speeds • Usually associated with periods of heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt

12. What to Do During a Landslide • Stay alert. • Consider evacuating an area susceptible to landslides. • Listen for unusual sounds. • Be alert when driving. • If you remain at home, move to the second level if possible.

13. A violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud Spawned by a thunderstorm or sometimes a hurricane Every state is at some risk Tornado

14. Go immediately to a basement or inner hallway without windows. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture. If outdoors, try to get indoors or lie in a ditch. Go to a shelter area. If you are in a vehicle, get out and take shelter in a nearby building. What to Do During a Tornado

15. Tsunami • A series of waves generated by an undersea disturbance • From the area of disturbance, the waves travel outward in all directions • Drowning is the most common cause of death due to a tsunami.

16. What to Do During a Tsunami • Listen to the radio or television for local information. • Stay away from the area until authorities say it is safe to return. • Do not go to the shoreline to watch for a tsunami.

17. Volcano Eruption • A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a reservoir of molten rock below the earth’s surface. • When the pressure from gases and molten rock become strong enough to cause an explosion, eruptions occur. • Most injuries and deaths are due to ash, falling rocks, landslides, and floods.

18. What to Do During a Volcano Eruption • Follow evacuation orders. • If indoors, close all windows and doors. • If outdoors, seek shelter indoors and avoid low-lying areas. • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. • Use goggles to protect your eyes. • Use a dust mask. • Stay out of the area around the erupting volcano.

19. Wildfire • Forest, brush, and grass fires can occur at any time of the year. • Occur mostly during long, dry hot spells • Majority of these fires are caused by human carelessness or ignorance

20. What to Do During a Wildfire • Listen to local radio or television for the latest emergency information. • If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. • Choose a route away from the fire hazard.

21. Winter Storm • Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. • Even areas that usually experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold.

22. What to Do During a Winter Storm (1 of 3) • If indoors: • Listen to local radio or television. • Conserve fuel. • Eat and drink regularly. • Never use heat sources designed for outside use in a closed space.

23. What to Do During a Winter Storm (2 of 3) • If outdoors: • Dress warmly in layers. • Avoid overexertion. • Be aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia. • Keep dry by changing wet clothing.

24. What to Do During a Winter Storm (3 of 3) • If trapped in a vehicle: • Pull off of the highway. • Stay inside the vehicle. • Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. • Exercise. • Take turns sleeping.

25. Technological Hazards • Hazardous materials incidents • Chemicals are found everywhere. • They can become hazardous during their production, storage, transportation, and disposal.

26. What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident • Call 9-1-1. • Stay away from the incident site. • If caught outside, stay upstream, uphill, upwind. • If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. • If requested to stay indoors, follow all instructions.

27. Nuclear Power Plants • Nuclear power plants operate in most states. • Nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.

28. What to Do During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency • Stay tuned to local radio and television for information. • Evacuate if you are advised to do so. • If told not to evacuate, stay inside. • Do not use the phone unless absolutely necessary. • If you suspect exposure, take a shower. • Seek medical treatment for any symptoms.

29. National Security Emergencies • Terrorism • Use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws for the purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. • Chemical and biologic agents • Have toxic effects

30. What to Do During a Chemical or Biologic Attack • Listen to the local radio or television for instructions from authorities. • If instructed to remain inside: • Turn off all ventilation. • Seek shelter in an internal room. • Do not use major appliances. • Remain in protected areas. • If outdoors, try and get upwind and inside.

31. Nuclear and Radiologic Weapons • Nuclear explosions can cause deadly effects such as blinding light, intense heat, initial nuclear radiation, blast fires, and secondary fires. • A dirty bomb is considered far more likely to be used by terrorists. • Combination of conventional explosives and radioactive material

32. What to Do During a Nuclear or Radiologic Attack • Avoid looking at the flash or fireball. • If you hear an attack warning: • Take cover quickly. • If caught outside, take cover • Protect yourself from radioactive fallout by taking shelter. • Keep a battery-powered radio with you.

33. Summary • Every American will likely be an unfortunate victim or witness to at least one disaster during his or her lifetime. • When a disaster strikes, you must be ready to act.