Before the Catastrophe
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Some allow for a brief opportunity to prepare and other strike without warning. RIA provides these tips to help prepare for the unexpected.
Hurricanes and floods to provide a short window of opportunity for residents to prepare. Before a storm, homeowners should:
- Check around the home for loose items and debris that can become airborne during a storm
- Secure items such as trash cans, basketball hoops, trampolines, lawn furniture, pool toys and accessories, lawn ornaments, etc.
- Identify for the family safe spots for quick hiding and easy escape
- Take reasonable steps to secure and protect the property
- Check gutters to make sure they are not obstructed by leaves, twigs, etc.
Residents forced to evacuate with little notice rarely remember to gather everything they will need in the coming days. Here is a checklist of items RIA recommends residents take with them in the advent of a pending disaster:
Evacuation kit
Clothing
- Pants - Long pants/shorts
- Shirts
- Underwear/socks
- Jacket
- Sleepwear
- Lightweight poncho liner
- Poncho for rain
- Walking shoes
- Weather resistant boots Image (NOAA)
- Children’s clothing (diapers, ointment, wipes; enough for two weeks)
- Baseball caps
Food (for 3-5 days)
- Camp food/MREs, non-perishable foods
- Baby food
- Instant tea, coffee, etc.
- Protein and energy bars
- Powdered milk
- Canned food & can opener
- Bottle water – at least ½ gallon per person per day
- Water purification tablets
- Vitamins and minerals
- Peanut butter
Medical
- All prescription drugs & copies of prescriptions
- First aid kit (ace bandages, baby wipes, hydrogen peroxide/antibiotic ointment, Sunscreen, band-aids)
- Medical facility phone numbers at preferred and alternate destination
- All general medicines (cold, flu, allergies, eye drops, antacids, etc.)
- Glasses, contacts, and back-up glasses (& cleaning solution)
- Hearing aid batteries
- Medical testing devices
Supplies
- Cellphone
- Flashlights (2)
- Work gloves
- Duct tape/electrical tape
- Car chargers for cell phones/laptops/radios
- Paper/pen/camera/video camera
- Important paper work (wills, passports, insurance information)
- Cash/credit cards
- Small fire extinguisher/ butane lighter and/or matches
- Games for children
- Batteries for everything
- Phone number list - emergency numbers, family, friends
- Toilet paper/feminine products/baby wipes
- All purpose tool – pliers/knife/can opener, etc.
- Blankets
- Hand sanitizer
- Sanitizing wipes
- Candles & matches
- Sharp knives
- Camp silverware
Items as Space Allows
- More water and food
- Pets and supplies
- Perishable food in coolers with freezer packs
- Tool box
- Sleeping bags/cots/folding chairs
- Maps/ fix-a-flat for tires
- Batteries
- Extra fuel containers
- At least two tarps (8’x15’) / 100’ rope
- Be prepared to have your car breakdown and that you might lose everything inside it
- High boots
- Fire arms (check local regulations)
- Dust masks & respirators
- Vehicle fire extinguisher
- Laptop computer & AC cord
- Irreplaceable jewelry & momentoes
- Birth certificates
- Insurance policies - e.g., life, health, homeowners, auto, business
- Marriage license
- Passports
- Wills
- Household inventory
- Credit cards
- Checkbooks
- Bank account information
- Medical records
- House deed
- Spare keys
