Is your family prepared for a disaster? These tips can help!
North Coast CERT wants to help your family prepare for the unexpected.
Let us be your resource for all things disaster preparedness! We'll share tips, forms, and information that will help your family prepare for disasters or emergencies in any season. Bookmark this page and check back often for tips and information on how your family can be prepared for disasters in any season. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for info!
Let us be your resource for all things disaster preparedness! We'll share tips, forms, and information that will help your family prepare for disasters or emergencies in any season. Bookmark this page and check back often for tips and information on how your family can be prepared for disasters in any season. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for info!
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Be Weather Aware!
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Disaster Kits
What should my family have in our kit? Disaster kits should include all the items necessary for existence, such as:
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Emergency Plans
What is a Family Emergency Plan? Why should you have one?
Every family should have a plan to escape their home in case of a fire. An escape plan identifies secondary exits from every location in the home and the proper equipment, such as rope ladders or devices), needed to escape. Children and adults should decide what plan of action will guide them in getting out due to fire, explosion, hazardous chemical exposure or collapse. These procedures should be practiced and discussed so that everyone is comfortable with them. Once out of the home, family members should meet in a pre-determined spot nearby.
For larger scale emergencies, families should establish an out-of-community meeting place, especially if children are older and more independent. Not everyone may be at home when a disaster occurs so a pre-determined meeting location away from the home is recommended. Additionally, an out-of-state relative or friend should be used as a phone contact so that family members can keep track of one another.
What is a Family Emergency Plan? Why should you have one?
Every family should have a plan to escape their home in case of a fire. An escape plan identifies secondary exits from every location in the home and the proper equipment, such as rope ladders or devices), needed to escape. Children and adults should decide what plan of action will guide them in getting out due to fire, explosion, hazardous chemical exposure or collapse. These procedures should be practiced and discussed so that everyone is comfortable with them. Once out of the home, family members should meet in a pre-determined spot nearby.
For larger scale emergencies, families should establish an out-of-community meeting place, especially if children are older and more independent. Not everyone may be at home when a disaster occurs so a pre-determined meeting location away from the home is recommended. Additionally, an out-of-state relative or friend should be used as a phone contact so that family members can keep track of one another.
Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place
SHELTER-IN-PLACE: How can I be prepared?
When conditions turn unsafe due to weather or other situations, the County Commissioners or Sheriff may direct residents to shelter-in-place. This order may come with restrictions on travel, such as telling the public that non-emergency personnel driving on roadways will be issued citations. It may also come with a less mandatory tone, suggesting that residents stay indoors and at home unless travel is necessary.
These orders are frequently issued in northern Ohio for snowstorms or blizzard conditions and are expressed in the form of Level 1, 2 or 3 Snow Emergency. It is also typical for flood warnings to be issued, mostly during spring and fall when rain is heaviest.
Shelter-in-place may happen passively when weather conditions render roads impassable, or when power outages last for extended periods of time. Utility outages are often accompanied by inclement weather like high winds, storms and extreme temperatures.
To shelter-in-place for a period of time, families must be prepared ahead of time. Residents should have home disaster kits ready and available at all times, stocked with the necessities for at least 3 days, or 72 hours). This kit should include items for everyone who is in the house on a regular basis, including pets.
EVACUATION: What if I have to leave my home in a disaster?
Evacuation orders are issued by the Sheriff when hazards, such as rapidly developing flood waters, threaten to make an area unsafe. While law enforcement officers generally will not remove people from their homes by force and residents have the legal right to remain in their homes in most cases, the wise choice is to follow orders and leave willingly. If an evacuation order is issued and a resident or family chooses not to leave, there may be no one available to help them evacuate later if they change their mind. Evacuation orders will generally tell residents that if they choose not to leave, the local government cannot be responsible should conditions become life threatening.
Rules of the Road for Evacuation
SHELTER-IN-PLACE: How can I be prepared?
When conditions turn unsafe due to weather or other situations, the County Commissioners or Sheriff may direct residents to shelter-in-place. This order may come with restrictions on travel, such as telling the public that non-emergency personnel driving on roadways will be issued citations. It may also come with a less mandatory tone, suggesting that residents stay indoors and at home unless travel is necessary.
These orders are frequently issued in northern Ohio for snowstorms or blizzard conditions and are expressed in the form of Level 1, 2 or 3 Snow Emergency. It is also typical for flood warnings to be issued, mostly during spring and fall when rain is heaviest.
Shelter-in-place may happen passively when weather conditions render roads impassable, or when power outages last for extended periods of time. Utility outages are often accompanied by inclement weather like high winds, storms and extreme temperatures.
To shelter-in-place for a period of time, families must be prepared ahead of time. Residents should have home disaster kits ready and available at all times, stocked with the necessities for at least 3 days, or 72 hours). This kit should include items for everyone who is in the house on a regular basis, including pets.
EVACUATION: What if I have to leave my home in a disaster?
Evacuation orders are issued by the Sheriff when hazards, such as rapidly developing flood waters, threaten to make an area unsafe. While law enforcement officers generally will not remove people from their homes by force and residents have the legal right to remain in their homes in most cases, the wise choice is to follow orders and leave willingly. If an evacuation order is issued and a resident or family chooses not to leave, there may be no one available to help them evacuate later if they change their mind. Evacuation orders will generally tell residents that if they choose not to leave, the local government cannot be responsible should conditions become life threatening.
Rules of the Road for Evacuation
- Keep the fuel tank in your car at least half full. If storms and severe weather are expected, keep a full tank.
- Stock your car with blankets, flashlights, flares, nonperishable food, bottled water, candles and matches, and a battery operated light, beacon or flashlight.
- NEVER drive through standing water or road obstructions during disasters!
- Take a fully charged cell phone with you whenever you drive in dangerous weather or conditions. Make sure someone knows where you are going and have a call back system to let them know you arried safely.
- Drive with a buddy whenever possible, especially if you have small children or elderly who are dependent upon you for their care in emergencies.
- Follow posted routes and avoid taking "shortcuts" or local routes as these may be unsafe or closed. Do not become stranded or lost because you took the "road less travelled."
- If you become stranded in snow, turn your care on for 10 minutes per hour to stay warm enough to survive. Keep windows cracked for ventilation. If possible, raise the hood on your car as a signal that you need help.
- If you become swept away by rushing, rapid water, GET OUT of your car as soon as you can. Roll a window down and crawl out, break a window, or find another way. The longer you stay inside, the less your chance of survival.
- Keep a county and state map in your car even if you have a GPS or smartphone.
- Always have weather-appropriate clothing with you in case you become stranded or have to walk. Carry boots, hats and gloves, rain gear and other comfort items in your vehicle.
- If traveling with pets, always take a leash and muzzle with you and make sure the pet has a collar with identification. They will often run from fear when something happens, which can result in a situation dangerous to the pet. Car restraints or crates for dogs and cats are helpful and are safer during transport.
