Transcript Slide 1
Are You Ready? Are you REALLY Ready? Laura Southard Public Outreach Coordinator Virginia Department of Emergency Management www.ReadyVirginia.gov www.ListoVirginia.gov VDEM Mission Working to protect People, Property and our Communities Report directly to the Secretary of Public Safety, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, and the Governor Preparation Response Recovery Mitigation National Messages Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone should have a personal response plan for a disaster. Everyone should be prepared to be selfsufficient for at least the first 72 hours. From the President, from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and from FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate What is Ready Virginia? Ready Virginia and its Spanish counterpart, Listo Virginia, are statewide public education efforts to prepare Virginians for all hazards. www.ReadyVirginia.gov Yearly Campaigns Tornado preparedness Hurricane/flood prep and sales tax holiday National Preparedness Month (September) ShakeOut drill Winter preparedness Core Messages Ready Virginia has three main messages: Make a plan Get a kit Stay informed Being prepared for an emergency means you can protect yourself and your family. When you have the resources you need, then you can help others! Virginians are Aware Recent research shows us that Virginians: understand what the three messages mean know they should get ready for emergencies know that being prepared can reduce harm from natural disasters and other emergencies Awareness doesn’t mean they are Ready. Perception vs. Reality Virginians think they are Ready, but they are not. Perception vs. Reality 54% feel prepared, but … 71% do not have critical supplies What Does Being Ready Mean? Here’s where to start: 3-day supply of non-perishable food 3-day supply of water Battery operated and/or hand-crank radio Family emergency plan Make a Plan Write it down. Do you have a family meeting place in case you cannot return home? Do you have an outof-town family contact? Get a Kit Minimum: Three days’ food and water Water – 1 gallon per person per day Portable radio Then add: Flashlights, extra batteries First aid kit/medications Personal items Pet supplies Important papers Cash Get a Kit for the Car You also need supplies in your vehicle: Emergency contact information Small flashlight and batteries Whistle or other noisemaker Water, food bars Extra medication, prescriptions Extra pair of glasses Pad and pencil or pen Mittens or gloves, wool socks, wool cap Several blankets Jumper cables and instructions Small sack of sand/kitty litter Small shovel Red cloth to use as a flag Stay Informed Listen to local news for information and instructions from local emergency officials. Get the free Ready Virginia app! Stay Informed Get a NOAA Weather Radio or a batterypowered/hand-crank radio with weather band and alert messaging. Hurricane/Flood Season Virginia’s Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday May 25-31 Historically, Virginia is hardest hit in late summer and fall. Aug. 2011 – Irene Sept. 2011 – Lee Oct. 2012 – Sandy 2014 Hurricane Names A storm is named when its winds travel counterclockwise and reach 39 mph. Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred Make a Hurricane/Flood Plan Listen to weather-alert radios and local media for watches and warnings. Create an evacuation plan. Plan how you will meet with your family and where you will go. Keep at least a half tank of gas in vehicles. What are different routes out of your area? Call 511 or go to 511virginia.org for road info. Take your kit! Get Your Home Ready Cover your home’s windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters. Bring in outdoor furniture, trash cans, decorations – anything not tied down. Keep trees and shrubs well trimmed. How to Stay Safe Get flood insurance. Flood water could be contaminated or electrically charged. Stay out! If trapped in car in rising water, get out and go to higher ground. Avoid downed power lines. Be Mobile Ready Are You Ready? Are you REALLY Ready? Laura Southard Public Outreach Coordinator Virginia Department of Emergency Management www.ReadyVirginia.gov www.ListoVirginia.gov