Adobe Creek Residents’

Disaster Preparedness

Handbook

May, 2013

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Adobe Creek Homeowners Association

c/o Steward Property Services, Inc.

1415 N. McDowell Blvd., Ste. B, Petaluma, CA 94954-6516

(707) 285-0600

First Edition & Printing May 2013 Publisher Adobe Creek Homeowners Association Petaluma, California Printing & Technical Support Steward Property Services, Inc. Petaluma, California

Copyright Pending

All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document is prohibited without the express written permission

of the Adobe Creek Homeowners Association.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This disaster preparedness guide is a composite of material from many organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Red Cross, Petaluma Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, USGS California Emergency Management Agency and Washington State Emergency Management Public Education. The Disaster Preparedness Committee scoured the Internet for the best information available in disaster planning. This guide has been tailored to the needs of Adobe Creek. Your guide will assist you and your neighbors in having a better chance of surviving a major earthquake. Our goal in preparing this guide is to give you the information needed to survive up to 72-hours on your own. The key neighbors support and building a neighborhood support structure. Your guide shows you how to do this. This document is a work in progress and will be updated from time to time. Comments on where improvement is needed are welcome. Please forward your comments to Steward Property Services (our property manager), 1415 N. McDowell Blvd., Ste. B, Petaluma, CA 94954 or to any Board member. It takes many dedicated homeowner volunteers to help govern and maintain this Association and its property. I have listed below the volunteers and our property management company that supported, directed, contributed and encouraged the development of this guide. John McGinnis Association Board of Directors (2013) Disaster Preparedness Committee John McGinnis, President John McGinnis, Chair Jim Cunnie, Vice-President Tim Scheele, Vice-Chair Kim Hanson, Secretary Laureen Burke Jack Osman, Treasurer Margo Ginsburg Jeffrey Erbst John Harrison Maralyn Polo Donna Hinshaw Mitch White Linda Postenrieder Steward Property Services Beth Ainslie, Property Manager

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction 1

Section 1: What to Do to Get Ready 2 Section 2: What to Do When an Earthquake Strikes 6 Section 3: What to Do During the Aftermath of an Earthquake 7 Attachment A: How to Shut Off Utilities 12 Attachment B: Sample Food Storage Items 15 Attachment C: Safe Keeping Important Documents & Financial Recovery Kit 17 Attachment D: Adults Coping with Disasters 18 Attachment E: Helping Children Cope 20

1

In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey Published a report stating that the two faults

in the San Francisco Bay Area most likely to have a damaging earthquake are the

Hayward-Rodgers Creek Fault System and the San Andreas Fault. The Rodgers

Creek Fault is in Petaluma’s backyard. It is not a question of if there will be a

large, destructive earthquake, but when it will strike. Are you prepared?

If a 7.5 earthquake strikes Petaluma tomorrow, there will be widespread, major

damage. Water, gas and electricity lines will be severed. Telephones, both

landlines and cell phones, will not work. Calling 911 will not be an option even if

you could get through because emergency responders will be overwhelmed. If

streets are impassible and freeway overpasses collapsed, we on the east side of

Petaluma will be completely isolated. Help may not arrive for at least 72 hours,

perhaps as long as a week or more. We, the residents of Adobe Creek, will only

have ourselves and our neighbors to turn to for help.

This handbook has been prepared by the Adobe Creek Homeowners’ Association’s

Disaster Preparedness Committee so that all residents in our community will be

prepared for a large earthquake. The handbook is divided into three sections:

What to do to get ready

What to do when an earthquake strikes

What to do during the aftermath of an earthquake

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SECTION 1: WHAT TO DO TO GET READY

Identify Potential Hazards in Your Home and Begin to Fix Them Now!

Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.

Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.

Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.

Secure TV’s, stereos, computers and microwave ovens with flexible nylon

straps and buckles for easy removal and relocation.

Brace overhead light fixtures.

Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be

closest to the floor.

Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors on closed hooks away from

beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.

Place only soft art such as unframed posters or rugs and tapestries above

beds and sofas.

Hold collectibles, pottery and lamps in place by using removable

earthquake putty, museum wax or quake gel.

Make sure exit paths are clear of clutter.

Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A

safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall

away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you.

Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. If you do not have

sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and

cover your head and neck with your arms.

Create a family disaster plan. Meet with your family and discuss what you

would do if an earthquake occurs. Pick two places to meet. Choose one

place right outside your home and a place outside your neighborhood in

case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and

telephone number for the location outside the neighborhood.

Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed in case an

earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.

Locate your circuit breaker box, water service main and natural gas main.

Learn how and when to turn these utilities off (See Attachment A). Teach

all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water

shut-off valves. Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the

lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. Do not turn the gas on

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until someone from PG&E or another professional is available to do this

for you.

Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text

or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three

days.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an

evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers in an

easy to access location.

What Sorts of Supplies Should We Keep On Hand at Home?

o A three-day supply of water - one gallon per person per day for drinking

and sanitation.

o At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (See Attachment B for

a list of sample food storage items.)

o Manual can opener

o Battery powered or hand crank radio

o Flashlight and extra batteries

o Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (See instructions on

page 9 for disinfecting contaminated water. Do not use scented, color safe

or bleaches with added cleaners.)

o Fire extinguisher

o Matches / lighter

o Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils

o Sanitation supplies; toilet tissue, hand sanitizer, garbage bags and plastic

ties for personal sanitation.

o Tools such as an ax, shovel, broom, hammer, plastic sheeting and duct tape

as well as sturdy gloves.

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What should Be Included in a BASIC Emergency Supplies Kit (Grab & Go Bag)?

o Water

o Non-perishable food

o One change of clothing and footwear per person

o One blanket or sleeping bag per person

o Rain poncho

o Battery powered or hand crank radio

o Flashlight and extra batteries

o A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications

o Hand sanitizer

o Whistle to signal for help

o An extra set of car keys, a credit card, and cash

Additional Items to Consider Including in an Emergency Supply Kit:

o Map of the area

o Copies of important family documents such as insurance policies,

identification and bank account records (See Attachment C for tips on safe

keeping of documents and preparing a financial recovery kit.)

o Extra pair of glasses

o Infant formula and diapers

o Pet food, water, bowls, leash, crate or carrier for your pet

o Personal hygiene items

o Paper and pencil

o Books, games, puzzles and other activities for children

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Resources for Earthquake Supplies and Information

In Petaluma Fastenal 1340 Commerce Street (707) 763-3745 www.fastenal.com Store carries large variety of tools as well as safety, first aid and emergency items Orchard Supply Hardware 1390 N. McDowell Blvd. (707) 664-1114 www.osh.com Store carries furniture safety straps, gas shut-off tools, flashlights, “grab & go” readymade emergency kits, etc.

Nearby Locations Earthquake Supply Store 3095 Kerner Blvd., # I San Rafael (415) 459-5500 www.earthquakesupplycenter.com Plan B Survival Store 513 David Clayton Lane Windsor (707) 837-5681 www.plan-bsurvival.com REI 2715 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa (707) 540-9025 www.rei.com/stores/santa-rosa In addition to a large selection of camping gear, the store also carries dried food, first aid items, flashlights, radios, emergency and survival kits, etc. Websites www.ready.gov www.fema.gov/earthquake www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes www.72hours.org

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SECTION 2: WHAT TO DO WHEN AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES

If you are indoors when an earthquake occurs:

DROP down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down.

This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.

COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under the shelter of

a sturdy table, desk, or bench. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an

interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your

head and neck with your arms and hands. Try to stay clear of windows or glass

that could shatter or objects that could fall on you.

HOLD on to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Stay

inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during

earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering into or

exiting from buildings.

If You Are…

In Bed, hold on and stay there protecting your head with a pillow. Broken glass on

the floor can cause injury; be sure to put shoes on before stepping on the floor.

In a high rise building, drop, cover and hold on. Avoid windows and other hazards.

Do not use the elevators.

Outside - If you are outdoors, stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights,

and utility wires.

In a Car - if you are in a moving vehicle when an earthquake strikes, stop as quickly

as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings,

trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

Trapped Under Debris - Do not light a match. Do not move about or kick up dust.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so

rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort-

shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

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SECTION 3: WHAT TO DO DURING THE AFTERMATH OF AN EARTHQUAKE Try to remain claim and reassure others. It can happen again - Keep in mind that when the shaking stops, and you think the earthquake is over, aftershocks can occur. These aftershocks can occur within minutes, hours or days afterwards and can be just as dangerous. Therefore, always be prepared drop to the ground and search for cover as you did for the major quake. Steps to take next: Many of the items listed below can be done quickly and almost simultaneously. Things will be visually obvious. Assess yourself. Are you ok - any injuries? Can you move about and are not trapped? If you can, treat any injuries you may have. If you cannot, or you are trapped, call for help. A whistle will be a big help in being heard. Damage & Family Assessment:

Check the rest of your family and pets for injuries. Assemble everyone at your designated spot, inside or outside the house. Try and assess if it is ok to stay inside of the house. If in doubt, move outside. If you can’t stop a gas leak or a fire, get out quickly. Treat serious injuries. Having a family member knowledgeable in first aid and CPR will be enormously helpful.

Check for any leaking gas. You will smell it if it is leaking. If suspected, turn

off your gas. Do not turn it off if it is not leaking because it could take days for PG&E to get around to your house. Don’t attempt to turn it back on yourself unless you are knowledgeable in relighting pilot lights.

If you smell gas, Do Not Use a Regular Flashlight or Candles. (Regular flashlights operate with an electrical spark to open the circuit to light the bulb. That spark could ignite the gas.)

Shut off electricity at the main breaker switch if you have electrical damage causing sparking that may start a fire.

Treat injuries, calm children and pets.

Shut off water if leakage is occurring. (Ed. Note: optional wording on shutting down water to prevent contamination from entering house).

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Place the OK or HELP sign in your front window or door so others know your status. If you need immediate help, call out or blow a whistle in three burst intervals (International distress signal). Place your fire extinguisher(s) on the front curb.

Assemble and assess disaster supplies you will need. If you have to leave your house, make sure you take your grab & go bag discussed in Section 1 of this manual.

Make a call to your out-of-the-area (preferably out-of-state) contact and provide them status.

If you have to leave your house, make sure you have cash and have assembled what important papers you need to take with you.

Join your neighbors. Once you have determined there is no more you or your family can do by yourselves, join your neighbors at the designated meeting place to join forces and prepare for the hours or days ahead.

Emergency Supplies Readily Available: If you do not have any emergency supplies or you cannot get to them due to structural damage, what can you do? Hidden Sources of Water: Hot water tank, toilet reservoir tank (not bowl), ice cubes, water in pipes are all sources. Try and store one gallon of water per person per day plus pet needs. This includes water for cooking. And, must be clean. Figure at least two quarts of drinking water per person per day. Gathering and maintaining a supply of clean water will become your top priority until help arrives.

o Hot water tank: Turn the tank’s electricity and gas off. Turn off the water intake valve. To get flowing water, turn on the bottom drain valve.

o Pipe water: This works best with two story homes. It requires turning off

the outside water source (which some suggest should be done anyway to prevent contaminated water from coming in). Let air into the plumbing by opening a faucet at the highest point of the house (you will get a minor trickle). Get water flow from turning on the bottom faucet om the house.

o Golf Course water: It is recommended not to use the water in small lakes around the course due to the fertilizer and insecticide chemical contamination.

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o Water Purification: This is very important when you do not know the quality of the water you are using.

1. Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes. Let cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better with aeration - putting oxygen back in by pouring the water back and forth between glasses or pitchers. This also improves the taste of stored water.

2. Disinfection: Add 16 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of household bleach

(15.25-6% sodium hypochlorite) into the water and let stand for 30 minutes. Do not use scented, color safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners. Try and use fresh bleach as it loses its potency over time.

The two above ways are the best and easiest. However, there are water-purifying kits available at camping and sporting goods stores designed for campers and backpackers. What are not recommended are iodine tablets. Using a combination of techniques will increase your assurance of minimized contamination. Make sure the containers you store water in are also clean. And don’t ration water. Drink what you need today…find more tomorrow. Ration food--not water.

o Food Usage: Whether it be food stored for an emergency, food on hand in the pantry or refrigerator, and particular if the electricity and gas are off, always start with the most perishable and work toward canned goods. Take food from the refrigerator before the freezer. Freezer food will last longer. Having a list of what is in the freezer, and having the freezer organized, will cut down on the number of times, the freezer door will be open.

o Nutrition: If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their

usual food intake for an extended period and without any food for many days. However, in stressful conditions, it is vital that you maintain your strength. So remember to:

* Eat at least one well balanced meal a day * Drink enough liquid to enable proper body functions (2qts/day)

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* Take in enough calories to enable you to do what needs to be done * Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your diet if

possible. * Don’t use salty food as it will increase thirst and burdens the water

supply.

o Cooking without gas or electricity: This is not a problem if you have

camping gear. Just fire up the camping stove. Not a camper? How about a BBQ? If you only have a BBQ, have a supply of charcoal for emergencies. Chafing dishes and fondue pots work. Heating up a can of food (top open) or eating cold right out of the can will work in a pinch. Don’t forget to have a manual can opener available.

Emergency Lighting With electricity off and darkness at hand or setting in, lighting becomes an issue. The use of matches, candles and oil lamps is discouraged. Aftershocks could tip over lamps spilling their contents and igniting a fire. Battery powered candles, flashlights and lanterns are preferred realizing their reliance on having spare batteries. (Remember not to use flashlights if you have turned off your gas because of a leak.) Propane or white gas lanterns such as the standard camping Coleman lantern are the next best source of light. Chemical sticks are also a source, though not very bright. Last, but not least, is the portable gas driven electrical generator. It is expensive but a real boon in longer lasting emergencies. Communications with the outside world Besides having an out-of-area contact to disseminate your status to family and friends, stay tuned to local radio and TV channels that can give you updates. TV: Radio: KFTY Channel 50 KZST FM 100.0 KTVU Channel 2 KSRO AM 1350 NBC Channel 11, 3 KCBS AM 740 KRON Channel 4 KBBF FM 98.1 (Spanish) KGO Channel 7 KGO AM 810

Petaluma Fire: (707) 762-4545 Police: (707) 762-2727

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o Land Lines: Most telephones will be out of order from either physical damage to telephone facilities or overloading (too many phones off hook including falling off hook from the earthquake). Hang up all phones that have fallen on the floor. Your out-of-area contact should be far enough away that it takes long distance to reach them. Long distance is less likely to be overloaded and is the first to be repaired. Limit your calls to that one contact. Keep it few and short. Emergency phones the telephone company keeps operating are pay phones (if you can find one).

o Cell Phones: Cellular phones are really radios on a network. They cannot

talk to each other, but must use a cell site to connect calls. If you plan on using a cell phone for family contact, make sure all family cell phones are on the same network or service provider system. These phones will also be susceptible to physical facilities damage from the earthquake.

o Ham Radio Communications: Amateur radio operators and their HAM organizations has been the mainstay of disaster communications. The FCC, Red Cross and most other emergency responders use HAM radio as a critical source of communication. The Adobe Creek Association is making every attempt to identify HAM radio operators that live in or near our community. This is an excellent way to get information out and information in. In fact, it could very well be the only source of communications we have for a period of time.

What to bring to a shelter? The local authorities such as the city, county, fire department or Red Cross will establish emergency shelters. You will be advised of the closest one to you. If you go to a shelter, think of it as a bare bones camping trip, i.e. take only the bare minimum including essentials for babies, children and elderly relatives. You will not be allowed to bring pets.

Personal disaster supply kit (See Section I of this manual)

Supply of water, food and snacks

Blanket or sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad (foam, air mattress, etc.)

Change of clothing and jacket

Towel, washcloth, soap

Diapers, formula and other infant needs

Small toys or other comfort items

Personal identification and copies of household and health insurance information

Books and games Coping with the stress of disaster - See Attachments D and E

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Attachment A - How to Shut Off Utilities GAS SHUT-OFF Locate main gas shut-off (usually outside house) at the gas meter. The valve is usually on a pipe coming out of the ground, going into the gas meter. Turn the valve crosswise to the pipe:

All the pilot lights in and around your home (stove, furnace, clothes dryer, swimming pool/spa heater, water heater, etc.) will go out when you turn the valve off. You will need to have the gas company or another qualified individual (plumber, contractor, or trained homeowner) relight every pilot when turning the gas back on. Forgetting to relight all the pilot lights could result in a dangerous gas buildup in your home. Remember, if you don’t smell gas or have severe damage to your home you should not have to shut the gas off. It’s your decision. Clear the area around the main gas shut-off valve for quick and easy access in case of emergency. A wrench (or specialty tool) for turning off the gas should be attached to a pipe next to the shut-off valve in another easily accessible location. You may want to paint the shut-off valve with white or fluorescent paint so that it can be located easily in an emergency. If you are concerned about your ability to turn off the main gas shut-off valve or are unsure if it is in proper working order (indication of rust, etc.) or do not know how to relight your pilot lights, contact your local gas company. They can send a service representative to your house to show you the proper procedure and check the valve and pilot lights to be sure they operate properly. AUTOMATIC GAS SHUT-OFF VALVES Automatic gas shut-off valves are an excellent way to ensure that your gas is shut off in the case of a major earthquake. They are recommended by the Fire Department. In many cities in California, they are required to be installed when

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you sell your home or do more than a $10,000 remodel. With an automatic valve, your gas will be off even if you aren’t home at the time. Contact your local gas company for more information and installation. ELECTRICAL SHUT-OFF First locate all of your home’s electrical panels. Note: There may be more than one. Your house may be equipped with fuses or circuit breakers. If your house has fuses, you will find a knife switch handle and pullout fuse that should be marked “MAIN.” If your house has circuit breakers, you may need to open the metal door of the breaker box to reveal the circuit breakers (never remove the metal cover). The main circuit breaker should be clearly marked showing on and off positions. Remove all the small fuses or turn off all the small breakers first, then shut off the “main.” If you have any sub-panels adjacent to the main fuse or breaker panel or in other parts of the house, in an emergency be safe and shut them off too. Shorts can sometimes develop that cause a circuit to bypass the breaker or fuse. Note: All responsible family members should be shown how to turn off utilities in case of emergency. They need to know what the utilities look like in both on and off positions. WATER SHUT-OFF Locate the main water service pipe into your house (probably in the front near ground level). You will see a gate valve on the pipe. If you know you have leaks after an earthquake, you can shut off all water in your house with this valve. You may wish to paint the valve red so it is easy to find in an emergency. You can shut off all water to your property by finding the water meter box (usually at the street or sidewalk). Open the cover with a long screwdriver or specialty tool. If this box is inaccessible or you cannot find it, call your local water department. Be sure to identify this box and the water valve inside before the need to use them arises. Inside the water meter box, you will see a valve that is similar to the valve on your gas meter. Turn it just the same as your gas valve. AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE TURN OFF YOUR GAS AT THE GAS METER SHUT-OFF VALVE…

If you smell gas, hear, or even suspect gas is escaping in your damaged or undamaged building(s).

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If your gas water heater or any other gas appliance has been knocked over and/or pulled free from its wall connection.

If your building has suffered extensive damage, such as large cracks in the walls or in the concrete slab floors, etc. AND you suspect the gas lines may have been damaged.

If you smell smoke and/see or suspect fire.

If you have none of the above, you are probably OK leaving your utilities on NOTE: Many gas companies have training programs to teach you how to turn your gas back on. Contact your local company for information. Remember: Do not use candles or open flame lanterns during periods of an earthquake! WARNING…If you smell gas, don’t turn on or off any switches. Don’t use any open flame to check for leaks. Don’t turn on any battery operated flashlights, unless they are a safe/waterproof light. Chemical light sticks are a safe source of light in the event of a gas leak. WARNING…It is very dangerous and therefore not recommended that you go searching for gas leaks inside any damaged building. BE AWARE: After an earthquake, aftershocks will continue to occur, possibly causing additional damage (or even first damage) to your building(s). REMEMBER: Do not turn the gas valve back on after an earthquake, unless a qualified person has checked extensively for gas leaks. REMEMBER: A qualified person (plumber, contractor, or trained homeowner) or gas company employee will have to relight all pilot lights.

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Attachment B - Sample Food Storage Items Remember to consume what you have in your refrigerator first, then your freezer, then your stored goods. BEVERAGES:

Milk - dehydrated or evaporated

Soda

Coffee, teas, instant cocoa - Remember, drinks with caffeine in them will move water through your body faster, so you might consider storing ½ again as much water

Powdered beverages as desired - Don’t forget these will require extra stored water to make

Fruit/tomato/vegetable juices

Sport drink, such as Gatorade GRAIN PRODUCTS:

Multi-packages of individual serving breakfast cereal

Instant HOT cereal in paper packages

Pancake mix - Get the ones that require water only

Bread (store in freezer)

Pasta

Flour

Corn meal

Sodium Crackers

Rice

PROTEIN SOURCES:

Canned meat: bacon, Spam, sausages, meat spreads, chili con carne, beef stew

Canned poultry; chicken, turkey

Cheeses (hard wax-wrapped cheeses last longer)

Dried eggs

Vegetarian protein sources include: dried beans and lentils, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans and wheat germ

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES:

Canned berries

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Canned pears, peaches, apricots, plums

Cabbed citrus fruits

Canned vegetables

Dry peas

Instant mashed potatoes

Dry package beans STAPLES:

Salt

Sugar

Cooking Oil

Shortening

Baking soda

Honey SEASONINGS AND SPICES:

Include seasonings appropriate for the meals you choose to store. Spicy foods increase the consumption of fluids

SNACKS AND OTHER FOODS:

Nuts

Peanut butter

Hard candy

Dried fruit

Jerky

Dry soup mix

Canned soup

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ATTACHMENT C - SAFE KEEPING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS and FINANCIAL RECOVERY KIT

Safe Deposit Box - The following list of items should be stored in a bank safe deposit

box or a similarly safe off-site location:

o Birth certificates

o Marriage license/divorce papers/child custody papers

o Military discharge/veteran papers

o Social Security cards

o Naturalization/residency papers

o Inventory of household possessions

o Appraisals of valuable possessions

o List of investments

o Contact information for your attorney, financial advisor, broker, etc.

o List of all important serial numbers, financial bank, insurance policies and credit

card accounts

o Powers of attorney including healthcare, wills & trusts

o Home improvement records

o Insurance policies

o Deeds, titles and other ownership records

o Auto, RV, boat (CF#) VIN numbers, year, make, model and license numbers

o Cash

Items & Copies of Documents Kept at Home that Should Be Ready for Evacuation: -

The following list of items should be kept in portable file box (available from office

supply stores such as Staples, etc.) or on your person (wallet or purse) to grab & go

when evacuation is necessary:

o Personal identification such as driver’s license, passports, residency papers

o Enough cash to sustain a family for a couple of weeks

o Credit, debit and ATM cards

o Outstanding bills to be paid within 30 days

o Checkbook

o Critical medical information including vaccination records for children and pets

o Prescription drugs and refill methods

o Copies of life insurance, auto and homeowner policies

o Copy of household & valuable possessions for insurance claims in case of home

damage

o Backup of computer files, laptop/portable computers, Kindle or similar tablets

o Copy of PINS, passwords and user ID’s

o List of phone numbers and email addresses of family/relatives, employer,

doctors, credit card companies, bank, insurance agent/company, and important

clients or businesses

o Radio and television broadcast stations to tune into for emergency broadcast

information

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Attachment D - Adults Coping with Disasters Having just experienced the shock and pain of a disaster, you will be very busy for the next few days or weeks. Caring for your immediate needs, perhaps finding a new place to stay, planning for cleanup and repairs, and filing claim forms may occupy the majority of your time. As the immediate shock wears off, you will start to rebuild and put your life back together. There are some normal reactions we may all experience as a result of a disaster. Generally, these feelings don’t last long, but it is common to feel let down and resentful many months after the event. Some feelings or responses may not appear until weeks or even months after the disaster. Some common responses are:

Irritability/Anger

Sadness

Fatigue

Headaches or nausea

Loss of appetite

Hyperactivity

Inability to sleep

Lack of concentration

Nightmares

Increase in alcohol or drug consumption Many victims of disaster will have at least one of these responses. Acknowledging your feelings and stress is the first step in feeling better. Other helpful things to do including:

o Talk about your disaster experiences. Sharing your feelings rather than holding them in will help you feel better about what happened.

o Take time off from cares, worries and home repairs. Take time for recreation, relaxation or a favorite hobby. Getting away from home for a day or a few hours with close friends can help.

o Pay attention to your health, to good diet and adequate sleep. Relaxation exercises may help if you have difficulty sleeping.

o Prepare for possible future emergencies to lessen feelings of helplessness and bring peace of mind.

o Rebuild personal relationships in addition to repairing other aspects of your life. Couples should make time to be alone together, both to talk and to have fun.

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If stress, anxiety, depression, or physical problems continue, you may wish to contact the post-disaster services provided by the local mental health center. Reread this periodically over the next few weeks and months. Being aware of your feelings and sharing them with others is an important part of recovery and feeling normal again soon.

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Attachment E - Helping Children Cope Children may be especially upset and exhibit exaggerated emotions following the disaster. These reactions are normal and usually will not last long. LISTED BELOW ARE SOME PROBLEMS YOU MAY SEE IN YOUR CHILDREN:

Excessive fear of darkness, separation, or being alone

Cling to parents, fear of strangers

Worry

Increase in immature behaviors

Not wanting to go to school

Changes in eating/sleep behaviors

Increase in aggressive behavior or shyness

Bed-wetting or thumb sucking

Persistent nightmares

Headaches or other physical complaints SOME THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOUR CHILD ARE:

o Talk to your child about his/her feelings regarding the disaster. Share your feelings too.

o Talk about what happened, give your child information he/she can understand.

o Reassure your child that you are safe and together. You may need to repeat this reassurance often.

o Hold and touch your child often. o Spend extra time with your child at bedtime. o Allow your child to mourn or grieve over the lost toy, a lost blanket, or a

lost home. o If you feel your child is having problems at school, talk to his/her teacher

so you can work together to help you child. Usually a child’s emotional response to a disaster will not last long. But some problems may be present or recur many months afterwards. Your community mental health center is staffed by counselors skilled in talking with people experiencing disaster-related problems.