Thursday, September 26, 2024

ABLE SC, Severe Weather "Know What To Do"

Possible Severe Weather and Tornados- Know What To Do:

ALERT! The threat of severe storms is possible across South Carolina next week, with the possibility of damaging winds, tornados, heavy rains, and flooding. Be prepared and know what to do if there is a storm.

In this email:

Before, During, and After the Storm
Stay safe during a tornado
Stay safe in a flood
Downed power lines tips
Building your emergency kit
Building an emergency kit for your pet or service animal
How Able SC can help

Before, During, and After the Storm

Before the Storm:

Build or update your personal emergency kit. Your kit should have the essential items you can't live without. Learn more about what's needed in your kit here. You can also read this kit list from ready.gov.
Build or update your service animal or pet's emergency kit. Learn more about what's needed in their kit here.
Make sure you have enough food and medicine if you need to shelter in place for a long period of time.
Make sure your medical equipment or accommodations that use batteries are fully charged and in good working condition.

During the Storm:

Never drive through flooded areas. If you approach a barricade, do not drive around it! As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and two feet of water can cause your car to be swept away. Turn around, don’t drown.
Watch your local news media for storm updates. If the storm updates say to shelter in place, do so!
If you need to evacuate, take only the essential items, including your emergency kit and medical supplies.
If you lose power, follow these tips to keep your water and food safe, here. The link includes a link to a video that explains what to do.

If you need to stay home:

Keep paying attention to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane or flooding.
Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the storm is over. Sometimes, the weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then gets worse again quickly.
Stay away from windows. You could get hurt by pieces of broken glass during a storm.
If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

If you need to evacuate:

Only take what you really need with you, like your cell phone, chargers, medicines, ID, and cash.
Make sure you have your emergency kit.
If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
Follow the roads that emergency workers tell you to take, even if there’s traffic. Other routes might be blocked and unsafe.

After the Storm:

If you have durable medical equipment or adaptive technology that gets damaged by the storm, contact Able SC. We may have a replacement for you, free of charge.
If you had to evacuate during the storm, only go home when authorities tell you it's safe to do so. If your home was flooded during the storm, you will need to clean and disinfect it to stay safe. You should clean and disinfect anything that could have been touched by flood water, including toys for kids or pets.

We may be at risk of tornados. Here's how you stay safe:

Check out the tornado safety fact sheet from the National Weather Service provides easy-to-read information on how to be prepared: https://rb.gy/j18vq

Check batteries in flashlights and battery-operated or hand-crank weather radios. Keep these items nearby in case you lose power.
Be ready to take cover in a basement or a windowless area of your home, such as a bathroom, hallway, under-stair area, or large closet.
Be sure you and everyone in your household knows where to meet if you are separated. This is also important if your home is damaged and you need to go to a shelter or to friends or family.

What if there's a flood? Here's how you stay safe:

If you are escaping flood water to save your life, do not stay in the attic of your house. If the highest floor of your home becomes dangerous, get on the roof. Call 911 for help and stay on the line until the call is answered. If your disability prevents you from doing this, call 911 as soon as possible and tell them!
Pay attention to the radio or TV news to follow instructions. Flood water is a drowning risk for everyone, even if you can swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children.
Vehicles do not protect you from flood waters. They can be swept away or stall in moving water. If flooding happens while you're in your car, get to higher ground. Get out of areas that could flood like dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc.

If you are in an area that is in danger of flooding or you are under a flood watch or warning:

Get your emergency kit, including prescription medications, and stay tuned to your local radio or television station for updates.
If you have to evacuate, turn off the main power switch and close the main gas valve to your home.
Have your immunization (shot) records handy or know when you got your last tetanus shot in case you get a puncture wound or a wound becomes infected during or after the flood. Immunization records should be stored in a waterproof container.
Fill bathtubs, sinks, and containers with clean water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse and fill with clean water.

What if there's a power outage or downed power lines?

NEVER touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines.
Do not walk or drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water.
If you believe someone has been electrocuted, call or have someone else call 911. Do not touch them unless you know they are not touching the electrical current. You can use a piece of wood, cardboard, or plastic to push them off the current safely.
If a power line falls across your car while you are driving, stay inside your vehicle and continue to drive away from the line.
If your engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn people not to touch your car or the line. Call or ask someone to call 911. Do not allow anyone other than emergency workers to come to your vehicle.
If your power breaker is in standing water, never turn the power on or off yourself. Call a qualified electrician.
Never use a gas-powered generator or gas power source inside your home, basement, or garage! Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Never use a grill or fire pit indoors. These things make carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a deadly invisible gas with no smell. The gas can build up and kill you.
If you need a generator, choose a battery-powered one!

Build or check your personal emergency kit, now:

Your personal emergency kit should contain essential items that you cannot live without. Items should be placed in a sturdy, durable container & kept in a place that is easily accessible in your home. Let’s pack an emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case of evacuation.

Your emergency preparedness kit should include:

Water – pack a minimum of 72 hours of fresh water

Food – 72 hours’ worth of non-perishable food items

A flashlight or light sticks

Extra batteries – for flashlight, radio, breathing devices, cochlear implants, cell phones, hearing aids, etc.

Battery-operated or hand crank radio

First aid kit

7-day supply of Rx medications

A Whistle or other signaling device – something to capture attention in your direction

At least one change of clothing – it is recommended to have protective clothing and a pair of sturdy shoes

A blanket (s)

Cash – do not count on credit and debit cards during times of emergency

Cell phone and charger

Personal hygiene items – deodorant, soap, sanitary pads, etc.

Other disability specific equipment – cane, walker, eyeglasses, etc.

Copies of important documents – birth certificate, passport, insurance policies & medical information

Family and emergency contact information

Additional supplies to consider:

Anti-bacterial wipes, plastic bags, garbage bags to assist with clean up

Multi-purpose tool

Duct tape

Pet food & extra water for your pet {our next emergency preparedness eblast will be instructions on prepping your pet}

Sleeping bag

Fire Extinguisher

Pencil and paper

Local maps

Can opener

Books, games, puzzles – for kids and adults!

Build or check your Emergency Kit for your Pet / Service Animal, now:

During an emergency, it is important that you have a plan to protect your pets & service animals; they are dependent upon you for survival and a successful outcome. Follow a few simple steps to help your animal companion and/or service animal during times of emergency:

If you need to evacuate your home, so does your pet. Avoid leaving animals behind.

Research beforehand which shelters and hotels in your area accept animal guests. Some accept service animals only.

Emergency kit for your Pet / Service Animal

Items should be packed in a sturdy, durable container which can be easily carried & is stored in an accessible location in your home. The kit for your pet should include:

Sturdy leash, harness, and collar

Pet carrier

Food, drinking water and bowls to last several days

Litter and pan (for those with cats)

Medications & copies of important medical records – make sure to include vaccination records!

Current photos – this is important in case of an accidental seperation

A pet bed and toys

Name and phone number of veterinarian(s)

How can Able SC help me?

If you have a disability, we can give you information if you need advocacy and support. Just call us: 800.681.6805
We can help you get durable medical equipment like canes, walkers, AT chargers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, accessible cots, etc. if your items were lost or damaged during the emergency.
We make sure people with disabilities are accommodated in emergency shelters and other locations! This includes advocating for equal access to information, food, sleeping, bedding, etc. at the shelter. Call us if you are having trouble: 800.681.6805
We send shelter modifications to make sure they are accessible. We send things like adjustable/accessible cots, ramp, temporary disabled parking signs, shower hoses, shower chairs, communication boards, and technology, etc.
We navigate FEMA, American Red Cross, Partnership for Inclusive Disasters, and other Emergency Services, including aiding with FEMA or Red Cross applications! We are here for you!

Resources:

There are many helpful resources available online. For additional tips and guidelines, visit SCEMD, Family Emergency Kit or Red Cross, Survival Kit Supplies.

To ensure the best outcome for you and your family – including your pet – plan ahead of an emergency. For additional resources visit, SCEMD, Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies or Red Cross, Pet Disaster Preparedness.

Sources: