Disaster Preparedness: A Basic Guide to Being Ready When Disaster Strikes

It is such a horrible feeling when disaster strikes the ones you love and you are thousands of miles away. A feeling of helplessness consumed me this morning as I watched the news and my hometown was all over it. This is the place where my mother, son and so many people I care about live. And as far as I can tell, it has been demolished.

I remember going through the fear of tornado's while I lived in tornado alley, spending the night seeking shelter in a bathtub only to wake up and see the aftermath. As scary as that was for me I have found that not being there is even worse. The phone lines become jammed with concerned family members and friends and it can make it nearly impossible to reach the ones you love.

There are a few steps that can ease the stress and make it easier for everyone to be sure their family and friends are safe. If everyone involved used calm and sound decision making skills in times of disaster it could have a drastic effect on how smoothly things run.

The first and probably most important thing I can think of that everyone should be aware of is that even in a small rural area there can be thousands of cell phones and/or land lines, all of which could be either in use for emergency assistance or inoperable due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.

1.If you find yourself in a disaster area it is best to conserve phone usage. Try not to place calls unless it is to get assistance or check on the safety of someone and keep calls as short as possible. Just be aware that the first 24 hours of any disaster are imperative to search and rescue efforts so that would not be a good time to call your friend to talk about the latest political events.

2. If you are the one who is concerned for the safety of a family member or friend and are unable to reach them stay calm. Remaining calm will allow you to make decisions based on what is best and help you avoid irrational thinking. Remember that what they are going through can be one of the hardest things of their life and in times like that calling friends/family may not be their number one concern. Be patient and know that they will contact you as soon as they are safe and calmed down enough to prioritize. If the situation has ended and you have not heard from them in a reasonable amount of time then you should take
further steps to ensure their safety. Emergency crews sometimes rely on family members to inform them of people who may be missing or unaccounted for.

If you are placing a call to the police department or another Emergency crew you should be prepared before the call. They are extremely busy and are taking many calls so be patient with them. You should have available at the time of the call any information you may have to offer about the person you are calling about. Some of the things you may need to tell them if possible are:

-Name
-Address
-telephone number
-brief description
-any identifying marks or scars

Also, be sure to give the person you are speaking with your contact information and relationship to the person you are calling about in case they need more information or need to speak with you again. Try to write down the name of the person you talked to and the time of the call.

Often times when disaster strikes there are an abundance of people who are unharmed and merely curious to see the damage. As the curiosity builds some may want to drive into the center of it all just to have a look. This can be a real safety concern and is never advised. The roads can become unsafe due to debris, they can be wet and slippery and many times the traffic lights are inoperable. Driving in these areas can become even more dangerous as more people clog the roadways just for a peek. Unsafe driving practices are almost guaranteed since most people are watching the sidelines instead of the road and emergency vehicles can be slowed down due to unnecessary traffic. It is best to stay at home, unless you have to get out, at least until roads are cleared and crews are dwindling down.

If you should need to drive be cautious and always give proper right of way to emergency vehicles. Be prepared to stop at any given time as many roadways may be closed or blocked. Police often set up post stopping each car to obtain their address and reason for needing through. Be patient and courteous when dealing with these kinds of things, they are only trying to keep out those who intend to cause harm, loot, or simply have no business in the disaster area.

Nearly everyone has practiced some sort of disaster preparedness either in school or at the workplace but it can be difficult to remember what to do when you are faced with it. Each and every person, whether in an area prone to this or not, should also have a plan in place to deal with disaster at home. Talk to your kids and other family members about what to do, be precise in your plans and practice them occasionally. Being truly prepared can be the difference between life and death, it can be the skills that save lives.

Along with a solid plan it is a good idea to have a few things set aside to deal with the situation, these items along with anything else you think you may need should be easily accessible. Here is a list of a few starter items that should be in everyones disaster kit:

-Water
-Flashlights
-Battery operated radio
-Extra Batteries
-Non perishable, ready to eat food items
-First aid kit
-Blankets
-Coleman lantern
-Camp stove

Remember to keep these supplies stocked and check the expiration dates randomly. This list is just a few starter things, it is a good idea to pack anything that you think you would need for survival and keep it all together. (Those plastic storage tubs ar great for storing your emergency kit items in.)

While it was the Arkansas Tornado's in April 2008 that inspired me to write this second hand account on dealing with disaster it has made me think back on the Tornado's that devastated my home town in 1999. I remember waking up the next morning thankful that I still had a home and praying for the safety of those affected. The weeks following the storm were full of community togetherness the likes of which I had never seen. Everyone made it a point to reach out and lend a hand to neighbors in need and spent countless hours attempting to create a safe living environment for friends, family, and even strangers. Everywhere you looked there were people wrapping houses in plastic, repairing roofs, or trying to salvage what was left of someones property. With so much sadness, loss, and devastation it was those random acts of kindness that made it possible to go on. Knowing that in a world full of selfishness and hatred an entire
community could gather together and make a difference is an empowering feeling.