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Be
Prepared When Disaster Strikes
Recent events throughout the country – Hurricane
Katrina being the most notable – have proven the importance of being
prepared when disaster strikes. Hazards – natural events such as
hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and power outages, or man-made events
such as terrorist acts – can strike any community at any time. Here in
the City of Rye, we are prone to weather events that can result in
flooding and power outages. Experience has shown that even a moderate
storm can result in the loss of power for several days, so it is important
to be prepared to deal with the challenges nature may present to us.
What can you do to prepare for an emergency?
Develop an
emergency plan for your family.
- Know
a safe route from your home or workplace to high ground or shelter.
- Designate
a meeting place in the event that members of the family are separated
and communications are out (severe weather events can disrupt both
land line and cellular telephone service).
- Make
a list of valuables and keep it in a safe place.
Stock up on
emergency supplies.
- Have
enough water and non-perishable food on hand to be able to “shelter
in place” at home for three days.
- Have
a “Go Bag” – a sturdy, easy to carry backpack or wheeled
suitcase – packed and ready if you have to evacuate without notice.
It should contain:
- Bottled
water and non-perishable food (like energy bars)
- A
flashlight
- A
battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- A
list of medications taken by each member of the family and other
necessary personal items
- Contact
information for members of the household and for other relatives and
friends you may need to contact during the crisis
- Child
care supplies or other special-need items
- Cash
(ATMs may be down, as well as credit card processing networks)
- Consider
equipping your home with a generator.
Increase your
awareness.
Information is power. Know:
- If
your home is in or near a flood zone
- Where
the nearest shelter location is
- Where
to obtain weather and other emergency information from radio and
television broadcasts, the Internet, or other notification systems.
Monitor the weather and prepare accordingly.
Make
preparations for your pets.
Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters. Plan
in advance for alternative shelter arrangements for your pets. If you are
not home when the emergency strikes, have a plan worked out with your
neighbors or friends to care for your pets.
Listen to
advice and direction from Public Safety personnel.
- If
local officials advise you to evacuate, do so promptly. Their advice
is based on all available information, experience, and training, and a
decision to evacuate is not made lightly.
- Do
not drive or walk through flooded areas. Water can be contaminated by
backed-up sewage; it may contain unseen hazards such as open manhole
covers; and it may be electrified by downed power lines. All can cause
serious injury or death.
- Never
cross barricades or emergency lines set by Police or Fire personnel.
They are there to protect you and others from a hazard.
- Treat
all downed power lines as live. Even a single household line contains
sufficient voltage to kill.
- Do
not travel unnecessarily. Avoid danger, and permit emergency personnel
and utility crews to return the area to a safe condition.
This is but a brief overview of measures you can take
to protect yourself and your family during an emergency. Additional
information can be obtained from a number of sources, including the City
of Rye’s website, www.ryeny.gov ;
the New York State Emergency Management Office, www.semo.state.ny.us;
the New York State Office of Homeland Security, www.security.state.ny.us;
and www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index/html
.
Public Information Concerning Flood
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