Preparing for Disasters Disasters in NC Plan Emergency

Preparing for Disasters ■Disasters in NC ■ Plan ■ Emergency Kit Revised 10/2013

What are disasters? n n – – Definition Common NC disasters Power Outages Storms Fire Tornados – – Earthquakes Floods Terror Disease

Power Outage Ice storm, wind, thunderstorm n No electricity for days or weeks n Be ready for 72 hours (3 days) n

Power Outage in the Cold n n n Carbon Monoxide NO grills DO NOT heat with a gas oven Avoid generators inside Staying warm

Power Outage in the Heat Staying cool n Drink water (no alcohol or sugary drinks) n Visit cool places n

Storms Types of Storms n Know local warning n Local shelters n Children – do not touch wires on the ground n Gas leaks n Open Windows/Doors, shut off Gas

Fire Statistics

Fire – Be Ready Check smoke detectors and extinguishers n Candle Caution n Know where to meet n Special needs? n

Fire n Remain Calm Check door for heat Crawl Get out – or stay near window STOP – DROP – ROLL n Follow n n signs in public buildings

Fire Apartment Fires Lightning Strike Fires

Tornado n Stay away from windows and items falling/flying – get into a basement, closet, or a bathroom (without windows)

Flood n Leave your car if stuck n Get to higher ground n DO NOT drive through flood waters Flash flood Charlotte 2011

Flood Asheville May 2013 Lincolnton July 2013 Flooded street

Earthquake n Stay away from windows and falling items n Get in a door frame or under a desk

Other Emergencies Terror Stay calm n Follow instructions n For Bomb Threats – don’t use a cell phone n Chemical Spills n Chemical Plant Fires n Leave your home if ordered to n If no evacuation, stay indoors until after officials say spill is contained n

Disease Find Facts n Avian influenza “bird flu” does NOT spread easily to humans n Call Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 -800 -232 -4636 n www. cdc. gov/

Pandemic COVID-19 Wear a mask! Social Distancing www. cdc. gov/

Plan n Be Ready for 72 hours (3 days) n Who will you call? Person out-of-town, long distance phone lines n Where will you be? Meeting places: one near home and one outside neighborhood n Elderly, disabled, no English, pets, kids?

Evacuate If local officials issue evacuation orders – follow them! n Bring $, credit cards, cell phone, charger, important #s, medications n Pet needs collar, food, & crate n Lock your home, turn off water and electricity, but leave gas on unless instructed otherwise n Call your contact once you are safe

n. Kit & Go-Bag n. Water n. Food

Disaster Kit n n n n First Aid Kit Medications Copy of documents and numbers Warm clothes Gloves Personal Hygiene – toilet paper, soap Tools Special needs

Go-Bag: One person with ID tag n n n Flashlight n Map Radio – battery operated n Medications n Toys Whistle n Copy of documents Pocket knife n Pictures of kids Cash and change and pets Clothes and shoes

Water n 1 Gallon person per day n Store in 2 L Soda bottles n Change tap water every 6 months n Change store bought water 1 x a year n Extra water for cooking and hygiene

Food n n n 3 days Canned, no cooking, no refrigeration Rotate Fridge – 4 hours Freezer – 2 days Manual can opener

NC Resources www. readync. org www. listonc. org – Spanish www. redcross. org