The best way to survive an emergency
is to prepare before it happens.
Items to Save Your Life and Help You to Find Your Way
Make a list of your medicines, including dosage, times per day taken, prescription numbers, and the name and the phone number of your pharmacy. List any food or drug allergies. Write down diseases or health conditions of all family members.
Make another list with the address and the phone number of your family doctor(s) and next of kin, as well as any instructions to emergency personnel. Laminate these two items (back to back) so they are waterproof. You may also want to laminate your copies of directive(s) to physicians and power(s) of attorney for durable health care (see Part 2).
- Call your doctor and ask for an extra refill of all your prescription drugs. This can be expensive, so you may alternately keep all your prescriptions refilled and in one place. Or, get a written prescription that you may carry with you.
- Have an extra pair of eyeglasses made. If you wear contacts, you will need eyeglasses or sunglasses. Debris, wind, rain and embers can blow contacts out of your eyes or affix them to your cornea.
- If you wear a hearing aid, you may want to buy a cheaper one to pack in your getaway bag; at least, make sure you wear it and have extra batteries packed.
- If you use a cane or walker, buy a folding cane or a lightweight folding walker with seat.
- Remember your dentures and any prosthetics as well.
What is the Plan? Where is the Plan? Is there a Plan?
Call your council member, borough representative, county commissioner or whoever represents you at the city, precinct or county level. Ask your representative where you may find the area emergency and area evacuation plan on the web or have it mailed to you. Do not be surprised if there is NO plan.
Study the plan or make your own. On an area map, mark the various routes, shelters, police stations, firehouses and hospitals on the map. On another piece of paper, write down the emergency numbers for your area, including police, fire, EMS, coast guard, swift water rescue, sheriff, etc. There is probably a page with all these numbers in your telephone book. Tear it out. Take the numbers and your map and laminate them (back to back) so they are waterproof.
Designated Shelters
Determine the closest designated emergency shelter(s) to your home. Walk or drive to the shelter(s) so you know exactly how to reach there. Plan your route so that you are on high ground and away from rivers and streams.
- Ask questions about food and water–for how many and how long?
- Do they have bedding, wheelchairs and medical supplies?
- Is there a generator, refrigerator and air conditioner or air filtration system?
- Is there a waste water system that will work in emergencies?
- What is the plan for security at the shelter?
- Does the shelter have communication line to emergency personnel?
Designate Your Shelter
There may not be a designated shelter, you may not be able to reach the designated shelter, or the shelter may need to be evacuated (San Marcos 1998).
Flood
Low-lying areas flood, so look to the high ground for a hospital, community shelter, high school or university building that is suitable as a refuge.
Do not enter water running over the roadway for any reason. If you need a reminder as to why, please read this post, Turn Around . . .
Earthquake
I have never been in an earthquake or lived in an earthquake prone area, so please get the advice of someone who knows the area. I will share what little I know.
Earthquake-prone areas will have buildings built to recent codes, so find one. Alternately, find one that lasted through the last few earthquakes. Look to open spaces, government buildings, low-level sturdy parking garages, buildings away from others with a minimum of glass windows.
Wait until someone in authority gives the all clear signal. Aftershocks may be as damaging as the original earthquake.
Tornado
For tornadoes, go to your storm shelter or your basement, if you have one. If not, select an interior room or bathroom without windows, or closet. Select which room, closet or bathroom you will use ahead of time. If you choose a closet, then get everything out of there that will not help save your life.
- Place a cache of water, matches, candles, flashlight, space blanket, and non-perishable food in the selected room. This room is also probably the best place to store your weather radio (see Part 1).
- If you choose a bathroom, get into the tub and cover yourself with a mattress. If you select another room, crawl under a sturdy table and cover yourself with a mattress. Use your best judgment for how to protect yourself in a closet.
- If you are driving, get out of your car. Find a ditch, service bay, root cellar, crawlspace or highway overpass. Do not stay in your car. Do not try to outrun the tornado.
Look for different types of shelters whenever you travel. Make it a game for your children. It might save their lives. It will hone your survival skills as well.
HurricaneIn case of a hurricane, you may have to drive to safety. Having your car supplied and in good running order could save your life and the lives of the ones you love. In your car, you will need to have one gallon of water, per person, per day for three days. You need a minimum of three days of food as well. Do not forget pet food or special food for infants and others.
- In bad weather, keep your car tank full of gasoline.
- Make sure you always have water, oil, tools, extra belts and hoses, inflated spare tire, and emergency flares in your car.
- Keep flashlights, first aid kit with instructions, space blankets, waterproof ponchos and a waterproof tarp in your car at all times.
Plan your evacuation route. Have a detailed map in your car for back roads, including fire roads, rail roads and electrical right of ways. Be prepared to go cross country if necessary.
Do not expect anyone in a position of authority to know what is going on. If they are armed, follow their instructions; otherwise, do what you think is best. Why? You have prepared for this emergency and the authorities may not have prepared.
- People died of heat prostration on the gridlocked highways out of Houston in 2005.
- Others left their cars after the cars overheated or ran out of gas.
- Individuals were killed crossing the highway or getting out of their disabled cars.
- It took hours for the authorities to make all highway lanes outbound on the evacuation route out of Houston in 2005.
- I will not mention the total communication and leadership breakdown in New Orleans, but if you wish to read what I saw, read Dig Deep and Give . . .
Be aware. Do not wait for officials to declare an emergency. If you see that a hurricane or typhoon is heading toward your area, leave. If you see the water rising, evacuate. If you do not like the look of the clouds, prepare. If there is a fire in the forest a mile from your home, get out.
Tags: disaster preparation, survive disaster, tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake, shelter, evacuation routes
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