Severe Spring Weather Threatens the Midwest

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Posted: 3:33 PM Apr 26, 2011 Severe Spring Weather Threatens the Midwest - Are you prepared? Be ready for what spring may bring with a few simple steps. Reporter: FEMA News Release

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CHICAGO (FEMA) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V office is encouraging residents and business owners to take steps now to prepare for severe spring weather, including floods, tornados, and severe storms.

"As the threat of spring storms continues, this is an opportunity for everyone to review their preparedness plans so they know how to react should severe weather strike," said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Region V administrator. "When putting together your family emergency plan, remember the unique needs of your family. Make sure you plan for the needs of infants and small children, older adults, people with disabilities, as well as your pets."

Individuals, families, and businesses can take steps now to prepare by:

Preparing emergency supply kits that includes:
o a three-day supply of nonperishable food and bottled water

o battery-powered weather radio

o flashlight with extra batteries

o first aid kit

o prescription medications and glasses

o pet food and extra water for your pet

o copies of important documents, including driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.

Having a disaster plan so your family knows how to contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations. Also, be sure to have copies of plans developed by your school and workplace.

Identifying evacuation routes and a site away from the disaster area where family members can meet.

Identifying business operations that are critical to survival and recovery. Communicate your plan with your employees, and develop systems to keep in touch with them should a disaster occur.

Heeding all local warnings-listen to news and directions from your local and state officials. If told to evacuate, do so. Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify the various hazards, and know the difference between a watch and a warning.

For more tips on how to be prepared for spring weather, visit www.ready.gov.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards

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FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Families should be prepared for all hazards that could affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge every family to develop a family disaster plan. Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disaster may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services water, gas, electricity, or telephones were cut off?

Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan...

Gather information about hazards.
Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

Meet with your family to create a plan.
Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

Implement your plan.
(1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones;(2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil one change of clothing and footwear per person one blanket or sleeping bag per person a first aid kit, including prescription medicines emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

Practice and maintain your plan. Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules. Conduct drills. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries two times each year. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions. Replace stored water and food every 6 months. Contact your local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or local office of emergency management for a copy of “Your Family Disaster Plan” (L-191/ARC4466).