Lately, no matter when you turn on the television to listen to local, world news, or even The Weather Channel, you continually hear how the weather pattern over the years has changed.
This past spring and summer alone it seems almost every day there have been warnings across the country for tornados, flooding, high winds and wildfires taking place out west. We think, living in New York state, we are safe from tornados. Not so, as there have been 16 twisters reported in New York in July. New York sees on average of nine tornadoes a year.
The most recent tornado hit Buffalo, An earlier one hit Rome, where it tore off rooftops, leveled brick buildings and toppled the steeples of historic churches. The good news is that no one was killed, but the twister left a pile of debris strewn through this community and damaged close to 400 homes.
Are you prepared should a disaster occur in your area? Here are a few tips and suggestions that you should consider taking when preparing in advance for a disaster.
Make your own contact lists
• List phone numbers for ambulance, poison control center, doctors, pharmacy, weather stations, school and bus companies, and workplaces. Keep it in plain sight.
• Add those emergency numbers to your cell phone, too.
• Keep a contact list of family and friends in your children’s backpacks, your wallet and at work. Explain to your children when to use the contact list.
• Remember to update the contact list at least once a year or when any changes occur.
Make your own family emergency plan
Use a recycled binder to keep your materials together. What you should include:
• A plan to get out of the house fast.
• A place to meet if your family is split up.
• A phone contact list.
• Emergency plans for school, work and home.
• Copies of ID cards, credit card numbers, extra set of house and car keys, insurance policies, current family photos and some cash.
• Copies of your health insurance and Medicare benefits cards.
• Keep all important documents in a waterproof container.
• A list of everyone’s medications, medical histories, allergies, blood type and immunization records.
• Pet boarding information, photos and copies of vet records. Emergency shelters may not allow pets. Plan ahead of time where you could leave your pet if needed.
• People with disabilities may take their service animals to a shelter. Take pet food, pet toys and vet records.
• If you take medications or use medical treatment daily, make sure to have on hand at least one week’s worth.
Keep backpacks ready to go
• Pack clothing for each family member, high energy foods (peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, nuts, and seeds), flashlights and first aid kit.
• Make a kit for work.
Make your own car kit
• Pack walking shoes, a warm jacket, blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, a first aid kit, list of personal medical information and emergency contacts, and boiled or bottled water.
Buy extra food and items
• Stock essentials like powdered milk, high energy foods, canned meats, soups, pasta and other family favorites. Consider adding flashlights, radios and extra batteries, disposable diapers, baby food and formula, paper products, a manual can opener, bleach and plastic bags.
• Three-day supply of food per person.
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Remember if you have a pet, you will need additional water for your pet.
• Buy in bulk and split costs with another family.
• Use coupons and watch for sales.
• Buy a little at a time if you can. Store in a dry, dark place, such as a closet.
• Rotate items and check for expiration dates, such as batteries and bottled water.
Stay connected
• Connect with family and friends through your cell phone or land line. Stay connected with loved ones during uncertain times is comforting.
• Weather news and emergency advice can change rapidly and without warning. Check for updates.
• Get emergency news by registering for NY Alert at www.nyalert.gov.
• You can receive alerts through your phone, computer, or text messages (remember the text messages are charged to your mobile account).
I hope you never have to use these safety tips, but if a storm or forest fire occurs, be sure that you are able to weather the storm or fire safely. I would encourage every reader to consider signing up for NY-ALERT or an app from your local weather station if you have not already done so. It is free and allows the subscriber to be informed of pending events, such as warnings of severe weather, tornados, snowstorms, wildfires, etc. To register, go to the NY-ALERT website at www.nyalert.gov.