Disasters happen — prepare now, state urges

Recent wildfires, annual winter storms and seasonal flooding are all stark reminders of the importance of preparing for disasters.

Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management urges individuals, families, businesses and local organizations to take time during September – National Preparedness Month – to learn about potential hazards, make a plan for what to do in the aftermath of a disaster and build a preparedness kit (or add something new to your existing kit). These essential steps are the foundation of basic preparedness.

There are a variety of ways to approach disaster preparedness and many resources available on the OEM website, Ready.gov, The American Red Cross and more. They offer a wide range of preparedness perspectives on the specific essentials to include in a kit. This year, however, OEM is focusing on less-talked about elements of preparedness, such as learning life-saving skills, checking your insurance coverage and saving for an emergency.

“We recognize that people are at different phases in their personal preparedness,” says OEM Director Andrew Phelps, “and it can feel overwhelming to maintain plans and kits and share preparedness strategies with family members and friends. Once the plans are made and practiced, and the kit is established, it’s important to consider what you need for long-term recovery.”

Life-saving skills: Life-saving skills include putting smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, learning how to turn off utilities like water or natural gas, and taking part in a CPR or first-aid class.
Insurance coverage: Insurance is a first line of defense when it comes to disaster preparedness. Check to see what your homeowner or renter policy covers, and take photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file a claim.
Saving for an emergency: Plan financially for the possibility of a disaster. Keep copies of lease agreements, mortgage papers, tax statements and other documents to re-establish financial accounts and provide if necessary for an insurance claim. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place, especially small bills if ATMs and credit cards are not accepted after a disaster.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued a proclamation in support of National Preparedness Month and OEM promotes being 2 Weeks Ready for earthquakes and other disasters. A series of animated one-minute videos are available, along with easy to read graphics and brochures. Each brochure offers helpful tips on what to do 2 minutes, 2 hours, 2 days and 2 weeks after a disaster.

“A major disaster could leave large areas of our state without resources for days and weeks,” says Phelps. “Having 2 weeks of food, water and other emergency supplies is critical for individuals and families who may need to take care of themselves until formal response resources can reach them.”