Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

CHICAGO –Disasters can happen with little or no warning, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be ready for them. Use these five life hacks to help you better prepare for whatever the unexpected may be:

1. Take small steps toward building your emergency supply kit. Pick up a couple of extra bottles of water and cans of non-perishable food the next time you’re at the grocery store. When you buy replacement batteries for the remote control, set aside a few extras along with a flashlight. Small purchases such as these will eventually help you create a robust emergency supply kit that could be vital to survive on your own after an emergency. If you’re wondering what supplies you might need to stock up on, reference Ready.gov’s Recommended Supply List.
 
3. Get and stay connected with the ones you love. If your family members aren’t together in an emergency and telephone circuits are jammed, does everyone know what to do? If the answer is no, go to Ready.gov’s Family Communications Plan to help you get started collecting and sharing the important information your family may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure everyone knows where to go and who to contact so you never have to worry about your family’s safety after a disaster.
 
3. Make your smartphone a lifesaving tool. FEMA’s App can be downloaded to keep you aware of impending severe weather for up to five locations across the U.S., along with customized information to stay safe and other readiness resources to help you prepare for potential disasters. 
 
4. Get smart… Everyone lives in a flood zone – but do you know whether your home is located in a high- or low- to moderate-flood risk area? If not, FEMA’s FloodSmart page has a One-Step Flood Risk Profile tool where you can enter your address and find out. Learn about all of the disaster risks unique to your community—and any location you may visit or spend time—so you’re not caught unaware if something were to occur. Visit America’s PrepareAthon! page and get educated about the specific hazards in any area you choose.
 
5. Then act the part! Once you know the type of disasters most common to your community, take steps to reduce your risk. Talk to your insurance agent and verify you’re fully covered – did you know homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage? What about the fact that sewer backup damage is typically covered by a rider added to your homeowner’s coverage? You can also mitigate disaster risks by taking other simple steps like storing important papers in a safe place, elevating mechanicals off the floor of your basement to avoid potential flood damage and caulking exterior openings where electrical wires and cables enter your home to keep water from getting inside. Learn more about risk reduction techniques by visiting FEMA’s Protecting Homes webpage.

For even more readiness information follow FEMA Region V at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema. Individuals can always find valuable preparedness information at www.Ready.gov.

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.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455
 

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Five Disaster Prep Hacks You Need to Know

Take Action Today and Be Prepared Tomorrow

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –National Preparedness Month is here and FEMA Region III encourages everyone to take action to prepare. Beginning this month, FEMA Region III will use social media to promote a new preparedness campaign around hashtag “Throwback Thursday,” but with a preparedness focus (#tbtPrep). Region III will use this hashtag to focus on past regional and national disasters to help inform and guide preparedness actions so individuals and communities are better prepared. FEMA Region III will also push “Take Action Tuesday” (#TakeActionTue) messages, which will emphasize meaningful actions to build preparedness and reduce our risk to disasters.  Thursdays we remember.  Tuesdays we take action.

This social media campaign will ensure a constant drum beat of preparedness, providing everyone with the necessary tools.  FEMA Region III encourages the public, private businesses, organizations and individuals to use both hashtags to promote preparedness and guide meaningful actions to reduce individual and community risk.

Each of us can make a difference and promote preparedness. “By remembering past disasters and taking active steps to prepare today, we can reduce the impact that future disasters will have on all of us,” stated FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney.

To take part, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and share preparedness information with your followers, family, and communities. For additional information on preparedness and to get involved, please visit FEMA.gov, Ready.gov, and America’s PrepareAthon!.

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Take Action Today and Be Prepared Tomorrow

NOAA, FEMA: Be a Force of Nature

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 2-8

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 2 to 8, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are calling on individuals across the country to Be a Force of Nature: Take the Next Step by preparing for severe weather and encouraging others to do the same.

Just one tornado can cause catastrophic damage. Last year, the EF 5 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., on May 20 killed 24 people and caused more than $2 billion in damage. In 2013, a total of 903 tornadoes were reported in the United States. Those tornadoes occurred in 43 states on 152 days, resulting in 55 fatalities and more than 500 injuries.

As more people move to tornado-prone areas, knowing what to do when severe weather strikes could save lives.

“With the devastation of last year’s tornadoes fresh in our minds and springtime almost here, I urge individuals to become weather-ready now,” said NOAA National Weather Service Director Dr. Louis Uccellini. “Make sure you have multiple ways to access forecasts and warnings from NOAA’s National Weather Service before severe weather strikes.”

“Being ready today can make a big difference for you when disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “It only takes a few minutes.  Talk with your family and agree to a family plan. Learn easy steps on how to prepare at Ready.gov and find out how your community can take action in America’s PrepareAthon through drills, group discussions and community exercises.”

Our severe weather safety message is simple: know your risk, take action, be an example.

• Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Sign up for weather alerts and check the weather forecast regularly.

• Take Action: Make sure you and your family are prepared for severe weather. Your family may not be together when a storm strikes, so plan how you will contact one another by developing your family communication plan. Make sure you put together an emergency kit and store important papers and valuables in a safe place. Visit Ready.gov/severe-weather to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family when severe weather strikes.

• Be an Example: Once you have taken action, tell family, friends, and co-workers to do the same. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered through your social media network. Technology today makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to become weather-ready. Share these new videos to help your friends and families to prepare.

• Get Weather Ready: Before a Tornado – http://youtu.be/uE66ganofF0

• Get Weather Ready: During a Tornado – http://youtu.be/_5TiTfuvotc

• Get Weather Ready: After a Tornado – http://youtu.be/UQ94ESZulA8

NOAA and FEMA’s involvement in the innovative Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) project, a new text-like message system, is part of a national effort to increase emergency preparedness and build a Weather-Ready Nation. Last year millions of individuals across the country received WEAs with life-saving weather warnings via their cell phone. These geographically targeted emergency alerts have allowed people to receive weather warnings they would not have otherwise received, and many people took life-saving action. For more information, visit www.ready.gov/alerts.

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NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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. http://www.ready.gov/

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NOAA, FEMA: Be a Force of Nature

New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages New Jerseyans to include their pets as they update their emergency plans.

For millions of animal owners, pets are important members of the household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire, flood, tornado or terrorist attack could depend on emergency planning done today. Knowing what supplies to have available, how to evacuate with your pets, where your pets will stay and how you will meet your pets’ needs throughout the disaster are all critical questions to address.

All pet owners are urged to keep a pet emergency supply kit, which should include at least a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container, drinking water, bowls for the food and water, current photos of you and your pets together, physical descriptions of each pet, medication, vaccination records and first aid pet supplies. Also include a leash and a pet carrier that can double as a sleeping area. You should consider comfort items for your pets as well, such as their favorite toys and blankets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pets’ emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet your buddy in an emergency.

Evacuating pets may be more difficult if you cannot evacuate in your own vehicle. Pet owners must understand their community’s evacuation plans and ensure they are prepared for any variations and restrictions. If officials call for an evacuation, you should be aware that many evacuation shelters do not accept pets and you must plan where you’ll shelter your pets in advance. Many hotels, motels, campsites and other facilities around the country now allow pets. For information on pet-friendly accommodations in your area, visit ready.gov/caring-animals.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the NJOEM website at state.nj.us/njoem, Ready.gov or Listo.gov or call the toll-free numbers 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585 and     1-888-SE-LISTO. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) and sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips on your mobile phone.

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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.

 

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

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New Jerseyans Should Include Pets in Their Preparedness Plan

Prepare Your Property Now For A Future Storm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges property owners to take steps now to minimize damage in future storms. To better protect your family and yourself in the event of an emergency, ensure that your home is a safe structure.

The following are some house maintenance tips from Ready.gov, FEMA.gov and FloodSmart.gov on how to strengthen and protect your property from rain, wind and flood damages:

RAIN AND FLOODS

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, but especially if you are in low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee or downstream from a dam.

  • Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
  • Make sure your sump pump is working and then install a battery-operated backup in case of a power failure.
  • Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
  • Anchor any fuel tanks.
  • Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation.

For more information, go to Ready.gov/floods.

HIGH WINDS AND HURRICANES

  • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
  • Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Reinforce your garage doors. If wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.

For more information, go to Ready.gov/hurricanes or fema.gov/protect-your-property-or-business-disaster.

For all emergencies, you should build an emergency kit and make a communications plan. To learn how, visit Ready.gov.

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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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

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Prepare Your Property Now For A Future Storm

Now is the Time to Prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season

LINCROFT, N.J. — With the 2013 hurricane season less than a month away, now is the time to update or make a disaster preparedness plan for yourself and your family. The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges all New Jerseyans to assemble a disaster preparedness kit, make a plan and be informed of the risks before the start of the hurricane season.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.

“Every family should have supplies ready to shelter in place for 72 hours following a hurricane, or any other disaster,” Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech said. “We are asking everyone to check their kits, or make a kit, before the start of the 2013 hurricane season.”

New Jerseyans can find information on how to build a preparedness kit at Ready.gov. The kit should include water, food, a flashlight with extra batteries and a first aid kit among other supplies.

Having an updated and accurate Family Emergency Plan is a key component to planning for hurricane season. The unique needs of family members, such as the elderly, infants, those with access and functional needs and any pets should be considered. Also, you should inquire about what plans are in place at work and schools in case of emergency. After all of the information is collected, gather your family to discuss how the plan works. Practice your plan at least twice a year and update it according to any issues that arise.

Being informed of the risks associated with hurricane season is an important part of preparedness. You should identify the hazards that are unique to your area. Local emergency management offices can help pinpoint the hazards in your area and outline the local plans and recommendations for each, which may include evacuations. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and how to secure your property in the event of a hurricane.

Visit www.Ready.gov, www.FEMA.gov or www.FloodSmart.gov for a detailed list of emergency supplies, as well as information on how to prepare for hurricanes and other disasters.

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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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Now is the Time to Prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season

FEMA launches National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has launched its second annual National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week focuses on you, your family and your community being prepared in the event of a disaster.

Each year people are killed or injured due to hurricanes, blizzards or other natural disasters despite early warnings. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 weather-related injuries.

Putting together a disaster supply kit is essential to making sure that your family has the provisions needed for each individual. Some kits may need additional items if there are seniors or infants in the house.  Developing an emergency plan is the groundwork for your family to prepare itself if a disaster strikes without warning. Collect information on preparedness from local emergency management agencies and FEMA. Make a plan with your family and discuss the information to put into the plan.

Individuals can contribute to preparing themselves and their community for severe weather in their area. As Hurricane Sandy demonstrated, New Yorkers gave their time to helping neighbors and strangers, from providing food and water to clearing debris from the streets. It is this “How can I help?” attitude that speeds up the recovery process and leads to a stronger, more resilient community.

Visit Ready.gov/severe-weather or Noaa.gov/wrn to learn more about severe weather and to be better prepared.

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FEMA launches National Severe Weather Preparedness Week