Prepare Today! Start Planning Today!
Disaster Preparedness Planning Checklist
- Decide where you will go!
In the event of a mandatory evacuation, you must take the time now to decide where you will go and how you will evacuate. Contact relatives out of state or out of town and make arrangements to stay with them. If family members and close friends are not an option, a hotel should be located and a reservation made. Please remember to secure a hotel confirmation number and make sure hotel is or family/friend destination is equipped for your pets or special needs person.
- Learn evacuation routes & procedures.
All adult family members should become familiar with the evacuation routes and contraflow evacuation routes. Also, familiarize yourself with all major and minor highways in the direction in which you will be traveling. Try to leave early to avoid being on the road for 7 or 8 hours. Prepare for the elderly and children traveling with you.
- The Survival Kit
Prepare a survival kit that includes the following:
-water (start storing emergency water now. Water can last for up to 6 mos.)
-emergency food items.
-clothing for the entire family
-bedding should also be packed for traveling
-first aid kit
-battery operated radio
-hand tools
-tarps
-sanitary supplies ie, toothbrush, toiletries, etc.
-waterproof flashlight
- Special needs family members
-elderly, fill prescriptions, gather Depends, and any other items necessary to support elderly members of the family or community
-children, gather toys, clothing, special blankets, and prepare them emotionally for the evacuation.
-disabled individuals
-develop a buddy system to be in contact with other vulnerable individuals in the community
-check on relatives in nursing homes to ensure they have an evacuation strategy.
- Make provisions for animals
-Plan for pets
-Pack food for your pets
-Call ahead to ensure that hotel and relatives will welcome your pet. Remember that some hotels will lift restriction on pets in the event of an emergency.
- Prepare important documents & secure memorabilia
-Protect family treasures and heirlooms
-secure all photos and important documents in waterproof containers.
- Insurance and Property inventory
-Make sure that you have appropriate and adequate insurance for your home and car.
-Upgrade coverages if necessary
-Remember that flood insurance is required.
-Remember the required 30 day waiting period on most insurance.
-Take inventory and also photographs videotape or manually record your home’s inventory and contents.
- Protect home and Property
-Make sure the roof is connected to the building
-Prepare windows. All windows should be closed and braced using plywood or shutters
-Materials will be scarce at the last minute, so plan now.
-Trim all trees
-Clean drains and shut off utilities from the main source
-Secure boats
- Plan family communication strategy
-Designate a family member out of town and secure their phone number and address.
-Make sure that all members of the family unit have the contact phone number.
-Teach everyone the phone number and how to dial the number without money.
-Have all family members record the number in several places, ie, in cell phones, clothing, shoes, and on items in the survival kit.
-As weather approaches, make frequent contact with family member or friend out of town.
- Financial Planning
-Discuss the financial plan rationally and in advance of the storm.
-Consider all costs, ie, hotels, gas, food, survival kit items, etc.
-Remember as a general rule, a good survival kit will cost approximately $500.
- The cost to rent a 1400 sq. ft. home is approximately $1000 per month.
-Hotel costs are generally $70 per night.
-You should always plan to have cash on hand in the case of loss of income due to not being able to work, or lack of access to financial resources as a result of bank closures.
|
