After Disaster

• Expect the best and worst from people
• Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up
• Keep record of who you spoke to, id numbers and when
• The phone representatives are the experts and they are there to help you. When you feel yourself getting frustrated, hang up and speak to another representative.  Keep in mind, if they can’t do something, they will tell you and you need to find an answer somewhere else or ask a different question. They really do want to help you as much as they are able when you speak to them.
• Be patient, expect recovery to take years

Family

1. Contact your out of state and in state family members and notify them you are ok and how to reach you.
2. In a large scale disaster go the Red Cross website and register that you are safe and location at http://disastersafe.redcross.org/

Insurance

1. Contact your insurance company and file claim
1. Allstate 800-547-8676
2. Auto Club 800-672-5246
3. Farmers 800-435-7764       (24/7)
4. State Farm 800-732-5246
5. USAA 800-531-8222           (9-5 CST)
2. Find out if damage is covered under policy?
3. How long to file the claim?
4. Do claims exceed deductible?
5. How long to process claim?
6. Need an estimate of repairs?
7. Keep copies of all receipts (hotel, meal, clothing costs)
8. Provide inventory and pictures
9. Don't threaten to call your attorney.  You won't win friends or get very far.
10. If safe to return, take steps to prevent further loss or damage such as use tarps to cover roof holes or moving objects away from flood waters

Employer

Call your employer and let them know what happened, when it happened and how soon you can be back to work.  Do you qualify for FMLA (medical), do you have sick or vacation days to cover missed time, and will the employer accommodate time off?

FEMA

You need to register at the link or phone number below

http://www.disasteraid.fema.gov/IAC/displayPage.do?forward=home&

800-621-3362   TTY 800-462-7585

State

Find out what state resources are available

IRS

If you have relocated, you need to update your address with Form 8822

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822.pdf

Disaster assistance inquires 866-562-5227

Personal taxes 800-829-1040

Post Office

http://moversguide.usps.com/ICOA;jsessionid=EF9351B3797A6D37385B9DAE55EB9A0D or visit local post office for change address kits

Utilities

1. Light
2. Water
3. Gas
4. Phone
5. Internet

Bills

Explain the situation and request hardship deferral

1. Bank/Credit Union
2. Credit Cards
3. Student Loans
4. Mortgage
5. Car Loans
6. Other Loans

This is the weakest link in all plans.  This is the first to break down, become overloaded or Murphy’s Law takes over in an emergency.

Let’s go over your current plan.

1. Cell phone
2. Cell phone
3. Cell phone…Did I leave anything out?

• Tornado: Salt Lake City - August 11, 1999, cell phones circuits overloaded

• Terrorism: New York City - Sept 11, 2001, significant telephone disruptions

• Hurricane: New Orleans - August 23, 2005, communications infrastructure destroyed

• Fires: Southern California - October 2007, phone circuits overloaded and power lost

• Snow/Ice Storms: Oklahoma - December 8-11, 2007, damaged phone lines and no power 

                                             for land line phone service as well as cell phone power ran out, unable to recharge.

Bottom line, cell phone networks are not designed for the occasional surge from rare events such as disasters or large scale emergencies.

 Nearly all modern phones require electricity to operate. Only the old rotary phones from the second hand store, made in the 80s and earlier do not require electricity. 

Ok, enough with the editorializing.  So what is a reasonable communications plan for my family in an emergency?

I have prepared a list of emergency contact phone numbers (evacuation plan) that is important to have on hand.  The list I have includes evacuation points if our family were separated.  This enables us to still reunite if I am pulled away to help the community.

Cell phone:

Text msg:      (when cell phones may not work, you may be able to text in emergencies)

Land line:      (rotary)

Plan:               You may not be able to reach anyone, no matter how prepared you are; 

                         therefore, having gathering points if you are separated is essential. 

                         These gathering points can be neighbors, church buildings, schools and family.

Ham radio:     http://www.hello-radio.org/whatis.html

Evacuation - What to Take and When  

A.  What to take if you have 5 minutes. (Three Items)

1. Medicine Chest / First Aid Kit
2. Cell phone
3. Portable fire safe: (Cash, Maps, Documents, Pictures)
   • Cash $10s, $20s and quarters (This is the emergency money you may need to buy gasoline, food, lodging and chocolate, remember ATMs don't work when you need them, decide how much money you think you may need to save up)
   • Maps of local and state roads
   • Copies of important documents
   • Recent pictures of your family

 

B.  What to take if you have 30 minutes…if cold weather, take portable heater, stove

1. Take contents from A                          and Coleman fuel containers
2. Sleeping bags
3. Pillows
4. Children’s pictures
5. Turn off water
6. 5 gallon water container
7. Power supply
8. Portable heater
9. Leave note where you are going

 

C.  What to take if you have 1 day

1. Full gas tanks (priority)
2. Take A and B
3. Genealogy
4. Fire safes
5. Turn off water, lock doors and windows, turn off major appliances
   (fridge, stove, water heater, computer)
6. Food, water, clothing, appropriate outer wear
7. Canvas car carrier

 

Where we will meet.

 

            Wife’s cell phone                                           *** ****                email

            Father                                                             24-555-5555     email

            Calling card                                                    *** *** ****

            AAA                          ############            800-222-4357

 

1. Willard                         friend                            825-5555        
2. Ward House               friend                            774-5555
3. South (Salt Lake):      friend                            466-5555           email
4. South (Salt Lake):      family                            466-5555
5. West (Grantsville):     family                            435-884-5555   email
6. North (Logan):            family                            435-750-5555
7. North (Ammon, Id)     friend                             208-523-5555   email
8. South (Arizona)          friend                            See below

 

Friends and Family

Friend (car pool)                                                       773-5555(H)      510-5555(C)  

Friend  (neighbor)                                                     776-5555

Friend                                   928-555-5555             928-555-5555   email

Mom                                     872-555-5555                                          email    

Practice what you learn here and share it with your family!

Hurricane (June to November Hurricane season)                       

1. Best to evacuate (evacuation plan)
2. Most important things wanted in a hurricane: ice/water, gas and cash
3. Suggested to have on hand a large tarp (to cover roof damage) nails, hammer and battery operated clock and radio
   (for news updates)
4. Stock up on high energy food
5. Hygiene supplies: soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies and bleach
6. Do not leave pets behind
7. Fill tub with water
8. Close all doors and stay in an interior room
9. Hazards include: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and flooding

Evacuation

1. Decide ahead of time, when you will leave, three days before a disaster (hurricane) is the best.  Let others know when you leave and destination and leave a note at home telling others where you can be found.
2. Do not listen to rumors
3. (Evacuation plan)
4. Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car at all times
5. Become familiar with alternate routes.  If your primary route is jammed, so will your secondary route (because everyone else is using that) so have a tertiary route planned and take that first!
6. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to.
7. Take your 72 hour kit
8. Close and lock all house windows and doors and take your pet
9. Don’t drive through flooded areas
10. Avoid electrical wires
11. Take extra fuel containers, preferably full (ahead of time)
12. Take clothing and bedding (sleeping bags)
13. Lessons learned
1. When evacuating - DON'T DELAY EVACUATION.  It took Houston residents 12 hours to travel 45 miles.  When everybody leaves at the same time, nobody leaves.
2. In an evacuation, no gas is available, the wait may be hours long or gas is used up in an evacuation due to stalled cars on the evacuation route.
3. In Rita (hurricane), if you left Thursday (three days before land fall), by the next day, you are still on the belt way-not out of the city.
4. Many sick or elderly have no transportation; the poor have broken down cars and no money for gas.
5. No gas is available for rescuers (police, ambulance and fire)
6. No gas to return home

Flood

1. Don’t wait to purchase flood insurance, it takes 30 days for the policy to go into effect.  Purchase through your insurance agent. Consider purchasing flood insurance in February (before the spring snow melt).
2. Move valuables such as papers, pictures, furniture, and electronics to upper floors.
3. Fill bathtubs with clean water.
4. Turn off electricity at the main power switch. 
5. Move to a safer area
6. Do not drive through flood waters.
7. Throw out foods and medicine exposed to flood waters
8. Boil water until local authorities indicate water is safe to drink.
9. If you have suffered a loss, call FEMA to register, if the President declares your area a federal disaster area
   800-462-9029
10. Document flood damage. (videos, pictures)
11. Look out for animals and snakes that have moved into your house.
12. Do not use match or any open flame until an electrician and gas company inspector has inspected your house.
13. Remove debris from storm drains.
14. Immediately notify county officials if streams become blocked by debris.
15. Request sand bags from county officials BEFORE flooding.

Fire

1. Purchase and test monthly a smoke and C02 detector
2. Purchase a fire extinguisher (ABC) and practice using (PASS).  Point, Aim to the base of the fire and sweep Side to Side).
3. Always know of at least two ways to leave a room in a fire.
4. Before opening a door, with the back of your hand feel if it is hot, if so, do not open. 
5. Crawl, crawl, crawl (smoke is higher up)
6. Select a location to gather when everyone is out
7. Call 911
8. No candles
9. A fire doubles in size every 60 seconds
10. Never leave the stove unattended.  If there is a pot on fire, cover it with a lid or throw baking soda on the fire.
11. Teach children to Stop Drop and Roll

Wildfires

1. Clear at least 30-50 feet safety zone from away from structures
2. Plant tress and shrubs less flammable such as hardwoods, avoid pine and evergreens
3. Have an emergency supply of water such as above ground tanks and swimming pools
4. Keep matches away from children and comply with firework regulations
5. Have your evacuation plan in place
6. Clean the roof and gutters of leaves and other debris
7. Have a ladder that reaches the roof
8. Keep tools available such as rakes, shovels, buckets, leather gloves and chainsaw
9. Listen for news updates

Earthquake

1. Crawl under sturdy table
2. If trapped, don’t yell, tap against an object (avoids inhaling dust)
3. EVACUATE a building as soon as possible, if outside avoid buildings and power lines
4. Evacuation plan has all your important phone numbers (phone lines will be down or jammed, texting will probably work better.
5. Strap water heater and bookshelves to wall studs.
6. Expect after shocks.
7. Don’t turn off gas unless you smell or hear it. Must be turned on by a professional.
8. Stay away from beaches due to potential of tsunami.
9. Open cabinets carefully, glassware and pots have shifted.
10. Falling debris around the exterior of buildings represents a serious potential for injury.  Exercise caution when entering and exiting a building.
11. Avoid using the phone for anything other than an to call 911.  Likely 911 will be jammed.  Listen to the news to know other ways to report urgent emergencies.  Calling city hall to get life or death information through may be another option.  Structure damage is not life threatening.  Avoid calling family members, texting is preferred for a method of getting assurance of your family safety.
12. Check out the After Disaster Plan
13. USGS provides real-time and accurate information. www.usgs.gov 

Tornado

1. Watch - Weather conditions are just right for a tornado to form.
2. Warning –Tornado has been sighted.  Seek shelter immediately
3. Tornados can occur any time, but most often occur during late spring and early summer.  (4pm-8pm)
4. Best shelter is in interior rooms and hallways, if outside lay in a depression or ditch and cover head. 
5. Seek shelter in the lowest place (basements and bathrooms)
6. Cover yourself with a mattress or other heavy soft item to protect from flying debris
7. Listen to the radio.  Take a flashlight, sturdy boots and leather gloves
8. Do not stay in a mobile home or car during a tornado

Thunderstorm/Lightening

1. Do not use the telephone (land line) or electrical equipment (hair dryer or electrical blankets) during a storm
2. Disconnect electronic devices (computer, TV)
3. Avoid tall objects such as trees.
4. A car is safer than standing outside.  Inside a building is better
5. If your hair starts to stand on end, crouch low on your toes, don’t lie flat
6. If on water, go to land immediately

Pandemic

Pandemic means a sickness that spreads through the population very quickly.  The sickness (of whatever kind) causes people to have flu-like symptoms for long periods of time.  It comes in waves of 3-4 months or longer.  It results in people not being able to go to work, shopping, church or other places where people congregate.  It overwhelms clinic and hospitals.  Delivery of food, utilities, and other essential services could be disrupted due to illness, fear of exposure, and travel limitations.  Flu shots take up to two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.  Flu season funs from November to March with peaks in January or February. Vaccine is good for three months.

1. Exercise, eat healthy, drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of sleep.
2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, if not available, use alcohol based hand cleaner.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  If no tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.

4. Stay home when you are sick

5. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes

6. Avoid close contact with sick people

7. Those at greatest risk are elderly and children

8. Pandemic History

   • 1918-1919 estimated 675,000 US deaths (Spanish Influenza)

   • 1957 estimated 69,800 US deaths (Asian Influenza)

   • 1968 estimated 34,000 US deaths (Hong Kong Influenza)

9. Definitions:

   • Flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person.  Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

   • Avian (bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds.  The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans.  There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

   • Pandemic influenza is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness.  Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily form person to person.  Source: Department of Health and Human Services

Drought

1. Never waste water (get leaky faucets fixed)
2. Take shorter showers and install a low volume shower head
3. Don’t let the water run while brushing teeth or shaving
4. Run washer and dishwasher only when full
5. Water lawns during designated hours (see local government guidance)
6. Avoid misting sprinklers and keep grass at least three inches or higher
7. Learn micro or drip irrigation
8. Follow water conservation rules especially washing cars and watering lawns
9. Plant drought resistant plants

Heat Wave

1. Do not drink soda, caffeine or alcohol.
2. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade.
3. Young people and elderly are especially susceptible to heat injuries.
4. Watch for clammy skin, no sweating, dizziness and seek help
5. Avoid jogging or hard work during the hottest part of the day.
6. Slow down, stay indoors, and wear light clothing.
7. Never leave a child or animal in the car on a hot day
8. Wear a hat and sunscreen lotion to help prevent sunburn

Winter Storm

1. Winter storm watch – possibility for bad weather, take precautions such as having water, food and light available
   (heat and light)
2. Winter storm warning- severe weather, stay home, have fun, relax.
3. Dress in layers especially head (75% of body heat lost through head).
4. Protect ears and nose with scarves and mittens.
5. Broken pipes, necessary to know where to turn off water valves.
6. Prevent frozen pipes and plumbing by covering outdoor faucets; let water drip slowly from indoor faucets.
7. Most people drive the same in good conditions or bad, plan on the other driver being unsafe.
8. Carry a shovel and kitty litter or sand
9. Count on bridges and road curves to always have black ice.
10. Prepare to loose power and heat.  Have a way to heat the house with kerosene or catalytic (propane) burners
    (heating).  Pull out flashlights and blankets. To conserve heat sleep in one room. If heating with kerosene or propane, ensure ¼ inch window open to allow oxygen into room.
11. Car kit should have hand warmers (car kit)
12. Do not cross ponds/lakes in the winter (thin ice)
13. After the storm, check on neighbors and remove snow.  Don’t over exert
14. Remove snow near mail box and fire hydrants to assist mail carriers and fire departments
15. Close off rooms not being used to keep heat in key rooms
16. Fill up car with full tank of gas before the storm
17. If stuck in a car, don’t leave. Run car for 10 min every hour, put up a bright rag on the antenna and keep moving arms and legs.
18. Do not remove snow from roof.  Most roofs are designed to hold 18 lbs of snow per square foot.  Keep in mind the danger of a collapse occurs when snow melts and pools on the roof.  Best to hire someone rather than risk personal injury.

Blackout

1. Call power company (See important phone numbers)
2. Turn off air conditioner and unplug electrical devices (computers, TV, microwave)
3. Avoid opening the fridge and freezer.
4. Freeze plastic soda bottles ahead of time to help keep fridge cold.
5. Use food from fridge first, then the freezer, then the pantry
6. Be patient
7. Utility crews may need access to your yard, tie up your pet.
8. Use a generator outside.
9. Back up computer programs regularly.
10. Buy a surge protector and UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
11. Have an old fashioned rotary phone (does not use electricity)
12. Know how to open the garage door with no power (some people don’t carry a key to their house because they rely on the garage door, recommend carrying a house key)
13. Leave one light on, to know when power is restored.
14. Avoid travel - traffic signals out
15. In a blackout, children like having light sticks that glow in the dark when snapped.  It doesn’t really produce a lot of light, but it helps them sleep in their beds more quickly because they have their own special light stick. Remove the rope from the stick so it does not get tangled while they sleep.

Light

                        Flashlight with extra batteries (no candles)

                        Use an oil lamp

                        Purchase a battery booster used to recharge car batteries. 
                        It will provide about six hours of light for a lamp with a 25 watt bulb.

            News

                        Battery or hand crank radio

            Fan

                        Southern climates get very hot and humid.  A car booster unit will run a fan for a few hours.

            Cooking

                        Coleman propane stove with extra propane bottles.  Great for cooking and heating water.

If you want to go the extra mile, consider a portable instant hot water shower unit ($150) and power inverter $50-$100 that can be hooked up to a car battery to supply light and power to other electrical devices.

Tsunami

1. If the water recedes on the beach unusually far, seek high ground immediately
2. If near a large body of water (ocean, lake, pond) and an earthquake occurs, seek higher ground immediately
3. A tsunami is caused by forces sometimes thousands of miles away, listen to and heed news reports.

Volcano

1. Carry dust masks or breath through cloth
2. Carefully remove large accumulations of dust on the roof, may collapse roofs
3. Snow may melt from heat; evacuate low lying or canyon areas.
4. Close windows and doors
5. Avoid driving, dust clogs air filters
6. Use goggles to protect eyes

Lost

1. Stay in one place, unless you can see help.  (Scouts hug a tree)
2. Answer noise with noise, keeps critters away and helps searches find you
3. Build a fire
4. Make a monument of rocks, spell a name
5. Take steps to stay dry and warm
6. Drink water

Hunker Down

Hunker down means no fuel, no escape, no assistance for days or weeks, no electricity or running drinking water. 

Disaster During a Vacation

1. Know evacuation routes away from the city
2. Know several ways how to get out of the airplane or hotel
3. Have bottled water available and high energy food (granola bars)
4. Know where your family will meet if separated
5. Have emergency phone numbers on each person (especially out of town contact)
6. Contact Red Cross for assistance and to let them know you are accounted for
7. When going on vacation shut off the water into the house.
8. Ask a trusted neighbor to look after your home while away.

Identity Theft

1. Contact each of the three credit bureaus fraud departments.
1. Experian           888-397-3742
2. Equifax             800-525-6285
3. Trans-Union     800-680-7289

2. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security department of the appropriate creditor or financial institution. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden name or Social Security number) on any new accounts you open.

3. File a report with local police where the identity theft took place. Get the report number or a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime later.

4. Call the ID Theft Clearinghouse toll-free at 1.877.ID.THEFT (1.877.438.4338) or TTY (1-866-653-4261) to report the theft. Counselors will take your complaint and advise you on how to deal with the credit-related problems that could result from ID theft. The Identity Theft Hotline and the ID Theft Website (www.ftc.gov/idtheft) give you one place to report the theft to the federal government and receive helpful information. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/02/idtheft.shtm



5. Know what to do, if it happens to you.     http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm



6. Check your statements monthly for charges that you did not make.

Financial Disaster

1. Save for an emergency (put away something, even if it is only a small amount)

2. Check your auto and home insurance BEFORE a disaster

3. Make copies of important documents

4. Conduct an inventory of your home belongings including model and serial numbers, the best way to document your inventory is through video

5. Recovery will take years

6. You may live in temporary housing

7. Seek out assistance from local, state and federal resources (loans and grants)

   • FEMA http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

   • Small Business Association http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html (despite the name, homeowners apply for disaster aid through the SBA)

   • State

   • Local city/county government

   • Red Cross www.redcross.org

   • Other volunteer organizations

8. File insurance claims (insurance link)

Auto Accident

1. Do not move an accident victim ESPECIALLY THEIR HEAD.
2. Dial 911
3. Don’t admit fault or offer to pay damages
4. Keep victims calm and still.  You need to be in control as well.  Hold back your emotions.
5. Ask the victim if they have any medical problems.
6. Treat for shock (blanket)
7. Move the vehicle, if possible, to a safe location out of the flow of traffic (right side of the road).
8. Exchange drivers license information and insurance information
9. Write down license plate number, state, appearance of driver and appearance of car, if the other car tries to leave.
10. Fill out police report at police station (keep a copy)
11. Contact insurance agency immediately
12. Get a second estimate

Funeral

Pet Preparedness

For health regulations, most shelters do not accept animals.

1. License your pet and have them wearing their id tags at all times.
2. Store extra food and water for pets.
3. Pets should not be left behind.  Take to a family members home (animal shelters will already be closed).
4. If left behind, leave a large container of water that can’t be tipped over and plenty of dry food.  If necessary, leave some water in the tub or a facet dripping.
5. Do NOT tie or cage your pet.
6. Post a sign on the window to alert rescue workers of how many pets were left behind.
7. Disaster supply kit for pet
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/animalservices
1. Pet first aid kit
2. Pet carrier
3. Leash or harnesses
4. Food and water for one week for each pet
5. Photo of pet
6. Large plastic bags for pet cleanup

Tips for Elderly

1. Keep a whistle to signal for help
2. Find two people who will check on you.
3. Dentures
4. Hearing aids and batteries
5. Eyeglasses
6. Medications along with list of allergies
7. Equipment (canes, walkers, wheelchairs)
8. Copies of insurance cards and Medicare cards
9. Emergency contacts
10. Because taking medicine usually requires water, have at least two weeks of water on hand
    "how important is water?"
11. If an evacuation were to happen, pre-arrange to have someone pick you up. (evacuation plan)

Tips for Infants/Children

Have on hand for a minimum:

1. Diapers
2. Formula
3. Medication
4. Bottles
5. Powdered milk
6. Moist Towelettes
7. Diaper rash ointment (Desiten)
8. Do not place cribs near a window or book shelves that may topple or break during an earthquake
9. Teach children to recognize the smell of natural gas
10. Teach children to crawl when they smell smoke, leave a building immediately during a fire and introduce them to firemen in their full fire uniform so they will not be afraid in an actual event
11. As part of your evacuation plan, include blankets and a wagon or stroller

WOW  Ideas

1. Buy a manual can opener

2. Buy a breaker bar and socket that match your vehicles tire nuts exactly.  Store it in the trunk.  This way if you need to replace your tire you aren’t relying on a six inch car tire tool that comes form the manufacture to loosen nuts that are stuck

3. Water storage for a year using dry chlorine

4. Go to a cheap dollar store, buy a wrench, match it to the right size of your gas meter, coat it in WD-40, put it in a zip lock bag and tie it to the meter.  This way if you need to turn it off, the shut off wrench is already the right size in case water rusts it.

5. Buy a medicine dropper (can be used to add liquid bleach to contaminated water).  Put it in your first aid kit.

6. Become familiar with alternate routes.  If your primary route is jammed, so will your secondary route (because everyone else is using that) so have a tertiary route planned and take that first! Carry a map of local and state roads.