| IntroductionPart 1 of this article on preparing for | | | | need two sorts - one if you have to leave and |
| weather emergencies discussed forming an | | | | another if you are staying.They should be |
| emergency plan to reduce the stress and worry | | | | designed to meet the particular needs of you and |
| of facing a full blown weather crisis.The focus was | | | | your family in the sorts of emergency you are |
| on safeguarding your family by planning well in | | | | most likely to face. For more information, visit the |
| advance of any threat.This, the second half of | | | | FEMA website, and check out their excellent |
| the article, looks at two things.Preparing your | | | | manual at are a few suggestions.If you have to |
| home to survive severe weather, and securing it | | | | evacuate, your destination will probably provide |
| in case you have to leave.Coping with evacuation | | | | food and shelter. Clothing and special needs - baby |
| or temporary isolation, and assembling one or | | | | and infant needs, prescription and basic medical |
| more emergency kits.Home SecuritySome forms | | | | supplies - are the most important. Include extra |
| of weather related emergency are capable of | | | | warm clothes - heating may not be efficient. Food |
| destroying your home no matter what you do - | | | | treats and special toys will make things easier for |
| floods, tornadoes and Category 5 hurricanes | | | | children. Some basic food and a couple of gallons |
| come to mind.But long term preparation and a | | | | of bottled water are always worth including just in |
| clear plan for when severe weather is | | | | case. A "keep your hands off" supply of |
| approaching can do a lot to protect your home | | | | emergency cash is also a great idea.Alternatively, |
| from damage or destruction. Or to protect you if | | | | if you are likely to be isolated and unable to leave |
| you are inside.So put together a plan about | | | | your home for a while, assemble a kit which will |
| securing your home and loading valuables and | | | | keep you supplied for at least three days. |
| essential supplies into your vehicle in case you | | | | Assume you will have no power, heat, water or |
| have to leave quickly.Such tasks are made easier | | | | waste disposal.The essentials are plenty of water |
| if you have been able to assemble suitable tools | | | | - allow 1 gallon (4.5l) per person per day, of which |
| and equipment well before the problems | | | | half will be drinking water. Commercial bottled |
| arise.Long term plans could include adding roof ties | | | | water is a good choice. Include non perishable |
| or even strapping down your house if strong | | | | food, preferably low salt, and don't forget a |
| winds are likely, or reinforcing an interior ground | | | | manual can opener. You'll need a battery powered |
| floor room to provide refuge from destructive | | | | radio and a flashlight, both with plenty of extra |
| winds.Between a threat developing and dangerous | | | | batteries, and a first aid kit.A camp stove and gas |
| weather arriving, there is usually some time to | | | | bottles are a great addition, and you'll need some |
| add protection to your home. Boarding up | | | | cooking gear and some matches in a water proof |
| windows if faced with strong winds, or cutting | | | | container. Make sure you have enough infant or |
| back flammable vegetation and cleaning gutters if | | | | special needs, plus any necessary medication. And |
| faced with a wildfire are worthwhile tasks if you | | | | warm clothes should be included, plus strong |
| have the time.And as a last minute job, store | | | | shoes.Now much of this gear will be in your house |
| outdoor furniture securely - apart from the | | | | anyway, but the point of this kit is that it can |
| probability of loss, a strong wind can turn them | | | | double for an evacuation kit, and will be ideal if |
| into effective missiles that could be directed at | | | | your destination is somewhere other than |
| your home.Finally, know how and where to turn | | | | relatives or an emergency shelter.And Finally.....OK, |
| off utilities - water, gas, power - and make sure | | | | you've given up some of your valuable time and |
| other family members know it too.Emergency | | | | made your plans for all likely eventualities. Chances |
| KitsAn Emergency Kit is a pre-packed container | | | | are you'll never have to use them, but things |
| which you can grab instantly if faced with a | | | | happen, and the hundred year flood may turn up |
| threatening situation. It should hold everything you | | | | next year. You can now relax and know you've |
| will need if you are cut off from utilities and | | | | done your best to protect your family and your |
| supplies, and should be kept separate from | | | | home.One more thing. Include in your plans some |
| products and tools which you use everyday or | | | | time in a year or so to review everything, to |
| for recreation.It is also worth considering | | | | make sure everyone understands the plan, and to |
| permanent kits for your car and workplace, but | | | | go through the emergency kits and replace |
| let's focus on those kept at home.Depending on | | | | anything that's damaged or out of date. It won't |
| the types of threats you may face, you could | | | | take long, and you'll be ready for anything. |