Emergency Preparedness

Flooding

If your home or business is located in an area subject to flooding, move all furniture, appliances and posessions to an upper floor. If you have flood gates or sandbags for doors and windows, consider installing or placing them now. If your driveway or garage is prone to flooding, or the roadway in front of your home floods, move all vehicles to higher ground. Make sure all rain gutters and downspouts are clean and in working order. The fire companies will not pump out basements as there is a potential for structural collapse due to hydrostatic pressure.

Wind

Strong winds may take down tree limbs and utility wires. Entire trees may come down due to saturated ground. Extended power outages are possible. Move all patio furniture and trash containers indoors or secure them so that they do not become airborne.

Stay Safe

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service.
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Be Prepared

• If you have a power outage, call PECO at 800-841-4141. DO NOT call the Police Department or 911.
• If you have any emergency, call 911.
• If a tree falls onto a road, call 911.
• AVOID DRIVING during the storm. Flooding, downed trees and wires and other hazards are likely to make driving dangerous.
• Make sure your car has a full tank of gas in case of emergency.

Your "To Go Bag"

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate.

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three day supply of nonperishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger.

Other items you may wish to consider:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency reference material such as a first-aid book
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper — When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Make a Plan

Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. You should also consider:

• Evacuation plans
• Family communications
• Utility shutoff and safety
• Safety skills

More Options

• Cover all of your home's windows with precut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside.
• Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Install a generator for emergencies
• Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting FoodSafety.gov

Sources: ready.gov/america/getakit, Red Cross Philadelphia, with additional information and suggestions provided by Springfield and Cheltenham staff