Are You Ready? Welcome

1. Are You Ready? Welcome

2. Agenda • Introduction • Identifying hazards • Taking protective measures for specific hazards • Creating a family disaster plan • Assembling a disaster supplies kit • Recovering from disaster • Conclusion

3. Objectives • Identify the disasters that could occur in your communities • Recognize the importance of family disaster planning • Develop a family disaster plan

4. Objectives • Recognize special planning issues and integrate them into the plan • Assemble a disaster supplies kit that meets your family’s needs • Identify steps to take after disaster strikes

5. Benefits of Being Prepared • Reduces fear and anxiety • Reduces the impact of disasters • Communities, families, and individuals know what to do

6. Being Prepared: Communities and Individuals

8. Part 2: Natural Hazards

9. Floods

10. Facts About Floods • One of the most common hazards in the United States • Some floods develop slowly • Flash floods develop quickly • Risks are greater in low-lying areas, near water, or downstream from a dam

11. Know the Terms • Flood/Flash flood watch—flooding is possible • Flood warning—flooding is occurring or will occur soon • Flash flood warning—a flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground

12. Before a Flood • Buy flood insurance • Avoid building in a floodplain • Elevate furnace, water heater, and electric panel • Install check valves in sewer traps • Construct barriers • Seal basement walls

13. During a Flood • Listen to radio or TV for information • Move immediately to high ground • Be aware of streams, drainage channels, and canyons

14. During a Flood If you have to evacuate, and time permits: • Secure your home • Bring in outdoor furniture • Move essential items to an upper floor • Turn off utilities

15. During a Flood • Do not walk through moving water • Do not drive into flooded areas

16. After a Flood • Listen to radio or TV for information • Avoid floodwaters and moving water • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded • Stay away from downed power lines

17. After a Flood • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe

18. After a Flood • Use caution when entering buildings • Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems • Clean and disinfect damaged property

19. Tornadoes

20. Facts About Tornadoes • Nature’s most violent storms • Every state is at some risk • Tornadoes may strike quickly with little or no warning • They generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm

21. Know the Terms • Tornado watch—tornadoes are possible; remain alert for approaching storms • Tornado warning—a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar; take shelter

22. Before a Tornado • Consider building a safe room • Be alert to changing weather conditions • Listen to radio or TV for information

23. Before a Tornado • Look for approaching storms • Look for danger signs: • Dark, greenish sky • Large hail • Large, dark low-lying cloud • Loud roar

24. During a Tornado • Go to a shelter • Immediately get out of a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home

25. During a Tornado • If outside, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head • Do not get under an overpass or bridge • Never try to outrun a tornado • Watch out for flying debris

26. Hurricanes

27. Facts About Hurricanes • All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes • Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland • Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour

28. Facts About Hurricanes • Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains • Floods and flash flooding are often deadly and destructive results • Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides

29. Know the Terms • Tropical depression—an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms • Tropical storm—an organized system of strong thunderstorms

30. Know the Terms • Hurricane—an intense tropical weather system • Storm surge—a dome of water pushed onshore by a hurricane • Storm tide—a combination of storm surge and normal tide

31. Know the Terms • Hurricane watch—conditions are possible in a specified area • Hurricane warning—conditions are expected in a specified area • Short term watches and warnings—detailed information about specific threats

32. Before a Hurricane • Secure your property; install straps to secure your roof to the structure • Trim trees and shrubs around your home • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts • Secure boats • Consider building a safe room

33. Listen to radio or TV for information Secure your home, close storm shutters, secure outdoor objects During a Hurricane

34. During a Hurricane • Moor boats if time permits • Ensure a water supply for sanitary purposes

35. During a Hurricane You should evacuate if you: • Are directed to by local authorities • Live in a mobile home, temporary structure, or high-rise building • Live on the coast, floodplain, or inland waterway • Feel you are in danger

36. During a Hurricane If you are unable to evacuate: • Stay indoors, away from windows • Keep curtains and blinds closed • Seek shelter in a safe room • Absent a safe room, go to: • Small interior, first floor room • Closet or hallway

37. During a Hurricane If you are unable to evacuate: • Turn off utilities and propane tanks • Avoid using the phone • Close all interior doors • Lie on the floor under a table or sturdy object

38. Thunderstorms and Lightning

39. Facts About Thunderstorms • Storms may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines • Storms can be most severe when affecting one location for an extended time • Storms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period

40. Warm, humid conditions are favorable for storm development Ten percent of storms are severe—high winds and hail Facts About Thunderstorms

41. Facts About Lightning • Unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property • Lightning often strikes outside of rainfall • Heat lightning is from a far away storm

42. Facts About Lightning • Most deaths and injuries occur outside in summer months • Your chance of being struck by lightning: 1 in 600,000 • Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately

43. Know the Terms • Severe thunderstorm watch—thunderstorms are likely; listen to radio or TV for information • Severe thunderstorm warning—severe weather has been reported; imminent danger to life and property

44. Before Thunderstorms and Lightning To prepare for a thunderstorm: • Remove dead or rotting trees • Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule

45. Before Thunderstorms and Lightning • Postpone outdoor activities • Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile • Remember rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection

46. Before Thunderstorms and Lightning • Secure outdoor objects • Shutter windows and secure outside doors

47. Before Thunderstorms and Lightning • Avoid showering or bathing • Avoid using corded telephones • Unplug appliances • Listen to a battery-operated radio for information

48. During a Thunderstorm If you are outside: • Avoid natural lightning rods: hilltops, open fields, beaches, or a boat on the water • Avoid isolated sheds or small structures in open areas • Avoid anything metal • Seek shelter in a low area

49. During Thunderstorms and Lightning If you are on open water: • Get to land and find shelter immediately

50. During Thunderstorms and Lightning If you feel your hair stand on end: • Squat low to the ground; place hands over ears, head between knees • Make yourself the smallest target possible