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Preparedness Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013: Make Small Changes to Help You Prepare in a Big Way
Hurricane Sandy affected much of the East Coast during late October 2012 and while it was only a Category 1 storm, she caused a giant path of destruction. Hundreds of people were killed and the storm caused more than $65 billion in damage and business interruption, not to mention millions of people were without power. Hurricane Sandy's destruction serves as a reminder of just how powerful Mother Nature truly is. Many residents along the East Coast were caught off guard when it came to preparing for what Sandy had in store.
Complacency is something people will admit they are guilty of and some will often times adopt the attitude of it hasn't happened to me. The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) truly aims at helping people prepare for disasters and emergencies. Planning though doesn't have to take much effort on your part and simple changes in your way of thinking can help you in a tremendous way.
Severe Weather Awareness Week will take place February 4 through 8 and the week is designed to allow you to focus on weather emergencies and what you need to know to protect yourself. Make sure you mark it on your calendar and pledge each day of the week to do something (big or small) to prepare.
CEMA offers these suggestions:
- Set up a Twitter and Facebook account and follow ChathamEMA in order to receive important alerts when emergencies happen or disaster strikes
- Sign up to receive text message alerts from CEMA; text to 40404 and in the body of the message type follow ChathamEMA and hit send
- Sign up to receive email alerts from CEMA; sign up at www.ChathamEmergency.org
- Learn how to text in case you need to summon help and you can't get a call out on your cell phone
- Check your flashlights in your home and make sure they have working batteries
- Put a roadside assistance kit in your car
- Put a pocketsize first aid kit in your purse or briefcase
- Teach your children how to use 911
- Write down important contact numbers on a notepad in case your cell phone dies and you need to call someone
- Figure out where you put your important documents to include social security cards and insurance papers and move them to a safe and collective location
- Check your smoke detector batteries
- Look under your kitchen sink to see what types of hazardous chemicals you have under there and whether or not you are properly storing the items
- Clean up your yard; this is good protection from the stormy season as well cleaning overgrown brush can prevent the spread of fire
Take part in Severe Weather Awareness Week Activities!
Statewide Tornado Drill: February 6th
Become a Storm Spotter for CEMA
Sign Up for Free Disaster Preparedness Training
Each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week focuses on a different topic:
Monday, February 4 - Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio
Tuesday, February 5 - Thunderstorm Safety
Wednesday, February 6 - Tornado Safety (Statewide Tornado Drill)
Thursday, February 7 - Lightning Safety
Friday, February 8 - Flooding
