Disaster Preparedness
Evacuation
An evacuation can occur at many different levels. You may be forced to evacuate your home due to a fire or natural gas leak; whereas the remainder of your neighborhood is not affected. Evacuations to your street or neighborhood may become necessary due to a serious threat to public safety. Regardless of the reason, preparation is important for your family during an emergency evacuation.
Fires
- Install smoke alarms in your home (bedrooms, kitchen, and living room, and hallways at a minimum)
- Place fire extinguishers in a visible and accessible location such as your kitchen and garage.
- Replace them if they lose their charge or become used.
- Learn how to use fire extinguishers
- Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two ways out of each room
- Review the plan with household members and practice your escape routes annually
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Decide on a safe place outside your home where everyone will meet after evacuating
Heat Wave
Flash Floods
Heavy rainfall in the area may cause severe flooding, especially low-lying flats. The level of washes, creeks, streams, and culverts can rise quickly and pose a hazard to people and pets. The rule for being safe is simple: never cross-moving water (“turn around, don’t drown”). Even a shallow depth of fast moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. The most dangerous thing one can do is try walking, swimming, or driving through swift water. Before a flood occurs, create an evacuation plan by sharing with your family which areas may become impassable. If you live in a high-risk flood area, purchase a flood insurance policy. If you feel you are at risk, you should check with your insurance agent.