KANSAS CITY, Mo.—As people living in the Central United States wait to see what track the remnants of Hurricane Isaac will take and plan for how it could impact them, regional public libraries are stocking their shelves and setting up displays with disaster preparedness materials to disseminate during the month of September, National Preparedness Month (NPM).
Although many in the Midwest are dealing with severe drought, Tropical Storm Isaac could bring heavy rain and flooding to the region. Isaac’s potential impact on the Midwest is a reminder of how important it is to consider and prepare for the unexpected. To help more people prepare, and in support of NPM, FEMA is partnering with regional libraries (see list below) to provide disaster preparedness books, publications and brochures for the general public, including people with or without disabilities who have functional and access needs.
Library computers will be available for those wanting to explore FEMA’s kids and adult-friendly disaster readiness website www.Ready.gov. Many materials, including those in languages other than English, can be ordered for free on this site as well. There will be coloring books for children and they can create their own Flat Stanley or Flat Stella posters. You can learn more about the Flats on FEMA’s blog earlier this year, http://blog.fema.gov/2012/07/flat-stanley-and-flat-stella-join-fema.html.
During National Preparedness Month there is a nationwide emphasis placed on getting ready for emergencies. Individuals, families, communities, businesses, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments and tribal nations are urged to take time to review home and flood insurance policies, make emergency supply kits and communication plans, make home and business repairs and adjustments that mitigate damage, and to generally prepare for the unexpected. Whenever possible, it’s best to get ready BEFORE a disaster threatens.
“One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have an emergency supply kit, but having a plan for what you would do during a crisis and gaining a disaster preparedness mindset is even more important,” said Regional Administrator Beth Freeman, FEMA Region VII. “This September 2012, ‘Pledge to Prepare’ for emergencies because you never know when any given day could be the day before a natural disaster.”
You can Pledge to Prepare for emergencies by signing up to join the NPM Coalition 2012 online at www.Ready.gov. More than thirteen thousand people and organizations have joined the Coalition this year. Participation is free and Coalition members are using the forum to discuss planning for all hazards and preparedness events they’re hosting or attending, big or small.
For more information about the library initiative and how to get ready for emergencies, follow FEMA Region VII on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion7. General and disaster-specific (floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) preparedness information to protect life and property can also be found at www.Ready.gov. Speak with your local homeowners or renters insurance agent about flood insurance, or visit www.floodsmart.org to learn your flood risk and what a flood insurance policy could cost.
PARTICIPATING PUBLIC LIBRARIES
KANSAS
Johnson County: Johnson County Public Libraries
Antioch Neighborhood Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Merriam, KS
Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS
Blue Valley Neighborhood Library, 9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS
Oak Park Neighborhood Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park, KS
Cedar Roe Neighborhood Library, 5120 Cedar, Roeland Park, KS
Corinth Neighborhood Library, 8100 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS
DeSoto Neighborhood Library, 33145 W. 83rd St., DeSoto, KS
Edgerton Neighborhood Library, 319 E. Nelson, Edgerton, KS
Gardner Neighborhood Library, 137 E. Shawnee St., Gardner, KS
Lackman Neighborhood Library, 15345 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa, KS
Leawood Pioneer Neighborhood Library, 4700 Town Center Dr., Leawood, KS
Shawnee Neighborhood Library, 13811 Johnson Dr. Shawnee, KS
Spring Hill Neighborhood Library, 109 S. Webster, Spring Hill, KS
For more specific information, visit www.jocolibrary.org.
Wichita libraries: Wichita Public Libraries
Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS
Alford Regional Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS
Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS
Comotara Branch Library, 2244 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS
Linwood Park Branch Library, 1901 S. Kansas, Wichita, KS
Orchard Park Branch Library, 4808 W. 9th, Wichita, KS
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, Wichita, KS
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, Wichita, KS
For more specific information, visit http://www.wichita.lib.ks.us.
IOWA
Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids Public libraries
Cedar Rapids Public Library, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit www.crlibrary.org/.
Des Moines: Des Moines Public Library
Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA
East Side Library, 2559 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, IA
Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave., Des Moines, IA
Franklin Avenue Library, 5000 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, IA
North Side Library, 3516-5th Ave., Des Moines, IA
South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave., Des Moines, IA
For more specific information, visit http://www.pldminfo.org.
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Visit FEMA Region VII online at www.fema.gov/region7. Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femaregion7, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
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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