September 11th marks the half-way point of the 2013 hurricane season.
Ironically the first hurricane of the 2013 season was named today and is churning in the Atlantic Ocean. The last time we experienced a hurricane season without any hurricanes this late into the season was 2001.
Hurricane Humberto made the anticipated turn to the North over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean. (Advisory #12 September 11, 2013 1100am est).
Making A Plan
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
You should also inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school, faith organizations, sports events and commuting. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to community leaders, your colleagues, neighbors and members of faith or civic organizations about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.
Don’t forget to consider your pets!
Building A Kit
A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
Create a disaster kit to take with you in case of emergency. The American Red Cross recommends…
- Battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled
- First aid kit and essential medications
- Canned food and manual can opener
- At least 3 gallons of water per person
- Protective clothing, rain wear
- Bedding or sleeping bags
