The seasons have become more unpredictable due to climate change. There’s a constant risk of fires, storms, droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes that have grown in frequency, intensity, and scope across the country. Nature’s wrath peaks from late spring to early fall, apart from blizzards and dangerous cold snaps. Therefore, it is more important than ever to plan and prepare for it.
When To Prepare?
The moment a storm hits, it’s too late to start preparing. Jammed highways and nearly empty grocery stores are common news stories about the impending storms.
When there are imminent weather emergencies, such as high winds or extreme humidity in certain parts of the country, it’s time to prepare for the worst and examine your natural disaster readiness.
Where To Start?
Primarily, people are only concerned with surviving. In preparing for a severe weather disaster, many Americans prioritize immediate survival, but planning for the hours and days afterward is equally critical.
Typically the best preparations are when the whole family should be involved in the process.
There are two types of emergency preparation that exist. The first: Preparation for emergencies, in general, is helpful regardless of the disaster.
The second is emergency-specific preparation, which depends on where you live. If you’re in the southern region, you’re at risk for tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, or the most basic summer danger: heatstroke. If you’re in the northern region, stay cautious of storms, blizzards, or floods.
Below, you will find a detailed list of tips, tricks, and advice related to getting ready for different weather events in your region.
Gather Supplies
A disaster may force you to live on your own for several days. You should be prepared by keeping your own food and supplies for at least a week. In the event of an emergency, a survival kit is a collection of basic items you may need. Supplies should last for three days. And remember to pack pet supplies and medication as well.
How To Build An Emergency Kit Designed To Weather The Aftermath Of Any Emergency?
Store your disaster supplies kit in airtight plastic bags and place it in an easy-to-carry container such as a plastic bin or a duffel bag.
A basic emergency kit should contain the following items:
- One gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitizing
- A few days’ worths of non-perishable food
- Battery-operated or hand-cranked radios
- An LED flashlight
- Medical kit
- Chargers and extra batteries
- A whistle or horn to attract outside help
- Filtering dust masks to reduce air pollution
- Duct tape and plastic sheeting
- Plastic ties, moist towelettes, and garbage bags
- A wrench or pair of pliers
- An opener for manual cans
- Maps of the area
- Chargers and backup batteries included with the phone
There needs to be a store of critical supplies on hand for any emergency-but gathering them by the time of the emergency will probably be impossible.
Subscribe To Emergency Alerts
Weather emergencies require accurate, current, and real-time information, whatever the emergency may be.
Plan Together With Your Family
Developing and practicing a plan of action for an emergency should be a family’s priority. The needs of each household will vary, but every member should make plans for how they will receive alerts if they are apart. They may also need to come up with ideas on how to contact one another, how they will meet, how they will evacuate, and where they will seek shelter.
Make Sure To Train And Prepare
By learning first aid, volunteering for emergency-response programs, and becoming familiar with local emergency plans, individuals can prepare themselves, their families, and communities to cope with natural disasters. The general public can play an active role in their communities by learning how to cope with stressful situations until federal assistance is available.
Put Together A Social Media Toolkit
Communication via social media is a convenient way to keep in touch with family and friends as well as receive emergency information and updates from government officials. For example, government agencies, emergency broadcasters, and weather forecasters rely primarily on Twitter and Facebook for sending alerts and disseminating information.
Don’t Lock Your Door Without Looking
Thousands of pets and 38 kids die in hot cars every year, all of which could have been prevented. According to the North Carolina Consumers Council, a car’s interior temperature can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. A dog can die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes. It is never a good idea to leave a dog or child in a hot car for too long.
Prepare Yourself In Case Of A Tornado
In the event of a tornado, a predetermined shelter is the most suitable place to seek refuge. As an alternative, one should stay away from windows, seek shelter in a basement or strong building, and never stay in a mobile home, which is not sturdy enough to withstand even a small tornado.
If you’re caught on the road, make sure your radio is tuned to an emergency station, stop driving, and go inside a building as soon as you can. If you’re still trapped on the road, make sure you’re buckled up and keep your head below the windows.
Apply The 30/30 Rule When Dealing With Lightning Storms
Electrical storms are dangerous and sometimes deadly in the summer, but lightning strikes are rare. When thunder roars, go inside. According to the CDC, the 30/30 rule states that if thunder is audible before you finish counting, it is advisable to stop all outdoor activities and go indoors for 30 minutes.
Stay Indoors If Lightning Strikes
It is always safer to stay inside than outside during an electrical storm. However, lightning can find its way inside the home as well. It is advised that anyone sheltering indoors during a storm avoid plumbing and water, electronics equipment, and corded phones, which can be pathways for lightning to travel. Cell phones are not affected by lightning. You should also stay away from concrete surfaces.
Wildfire Survival Plan
With climate change, wildfires are more frequent and severe in the summer, especially in the West. If you live in a fire-prone area, you should prepare in the same way you would for any other natural disaster, such as putting together a 72-hour supply kit, registering for alerts, and setting up evacuation routes with your family. It is critical to comply with evacuation orders in the event of a fire and to keep all doors and windows closed until the evacuation is complete. Evacuees are advised to keep the outside lights on to help them see through the dense smoke. They should also shut off the gas before they leave, leave doors and windows unlocked, and roll up the windows as they drive.
Protecting Your Financial Future With Insurance
Reviewing insurance coverage every year is a wise idea if you’re preparing for a potential disaster. Get in touch with insurance experts who will be able to work closely with you to find the appropriate coverage before a disaster strikes. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in case of the types of disasters that are likely to occur in your area.
A room-by-room inventory and photos or videos of personal belongings can save you a lot of heartaches if disaster strikes.
Protecting Sentimental Property
It may not be possible to replace some items after a disaster. It is recommended to take preventative measures to protect sentimental possessions. Even if you decide to have your antique and vintage valuables appraised, storing them in a safe room is always wise.
A safe room is ideal for storing anything you don’t want to lose in a storm, including family heirlooms, photographs, important documents, or anything irreplaceable.
For instance, you may want to gather a few family pictures and valuable personal items during severe weather and store them near the top of the basement stairs in the event of a tornado threat. Make sure you do this before an actual tornado warning arrives. As soon as the warning is given, grab the items and get to the shelter as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The most effective defense for a family is preparation. The entire family can participate in four key activities as part of preparation. A few of these activities include preparing an emergency kit, driving a safe exit route out of town, taking pictures of one’s possessions, as well as signing up for alerts regarding possible disaster situations caused by severe weather.