McDowell Memo: Keeping the home safe for Weather Emergencies

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Today as I sit writing this there a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Flash Flood Warning for our area. So , I thought with all my time in Law Enforcement , Plant Protection and Loss Prevention I have had a lot of exposure to varying types of weather emergencies, maybe I should pass on what I have learned. 

  • Know what type of Storm you are facing each has different exposures
    • Snow
    • Rain
    • High Wind
    • Tornado
    • Storm Surge
    • Lowland Flooding
    • River or Lake Flooding 
Each  of  these has a list of items needed to be prepared
Each has actions that should be taken upon awareness of the threat
Each has communication issues

  • Here is a list that all emergencies need to have present in the home for protection 
    • Water at Least 2 gals preferably frozen
    • Flashlights one for every member of the house 
    • Headlight Flash lights again for everyone 
    • a first aid kit designed for the number of persons in the house doubled ( you may have to treat neighbors)
    • 2 lighting utensils - cigarette lighter or candle lighter 
    • 1 roll of Duct Tape 
    • 2 large rolls of plastic
    • a 6 X ^8 tarp for every person in the home (used as ground cloth or protective shield ) 
    • 1 hatchet or Axe
    • 1 shovel ( 2 if you are using military breakdown style ) 
    • Construction stapler 
    • A survival blanket for each person
    • Food for 5 days for the number of persons in Household
    • Toilet Paper /Adult Wipes/ Hand sanitizer
    • 2 large package of  Chemlites 
    • 5 good size pieces of fire wood ( kindling is never a problem but dry wood may not be there for you to use)
    • This is by far not 100% complete but a great start for a home emergency cupboard or large foot locker. Don't just fill it Make sure it is very visibly signed . 
    • The Following items should be in every bedroom in the house
      • Cell Phone and Chargers 
      • one small zip lock bag with essential medications
      • One Large zip lock bag with two days of basic clothing (underwear , Tops, Pants ,Socks and shoes ) One hooded sweatshirt . These should be right inside the closet so the person can grab and go if needed. 
    • Fire Extinguishers  One in Kitchen, one near heat source ( furnace, Fireplace or Woodstove) One in central location on each floor. 
    • Finally the phone numbers to all relatives , Friends and Emergency providers.
Specific needs for Specific Emergencies
    • Snow 
      • Boots, Heavy Coats, Gloves, Thermal Underwear more water 2 gals per person
      • Shovels
    • Rain
      • Here the use of tarps rolled plastic and Extra Batteries  comes in handy
      • A charger hand crank for cell phones is a nice addition to all the lists
    • High Wind 
      • Remember to get to center of the house and below ground if possible have each person use their tarp to cover them from flying debris ,etc. 
    • Tornado
      • Same as above but more damage remember to check for electrical and Gas issues.
    • Storm Surge 
      • If you live in an area with this hazard please pay attention and evacuate as soon as told here the key is being ready a head of time. 
      • If caught by the surge go to highest point inside the home and bring those tarps and the ax to cut your way out to be rescued if needed 
    • Low Land Flooding
      • If you live in this type area you will be used to when it is truly a threat but do not take changes if they call for evacuation do it immediately
      • Move all important items to higher ground
      • Tape plastic over inside of basement windows and then do a second layer 
    • River or Lake flooding 
      • Monitor Emergency reports 24/7 during a potential threat
      • Pack all vehicles with your emergency cupboard items etc. 
      • Increase food , water, and other consumable supplies 
      • Take valuable documents etc. Pack all medications, also bring pet meds if you have them
      • Pets bring leashes ,etc. , food water (1 Gal per Day) , paper towels and garbage bags for clean up) If you have an old blanket wrap the pet in the blanket and hold them during the storm it will make the event much more bearable. 
      • If you have access and the means to do it getting a pile of sand and bags would be helpful Again remember immediate action is the key. 
  • This is definitely not a complete list but ones that I have seen great rewards from and where they have been missing great discomfort for the parties involved. 








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