Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for disaster

Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property.

If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you, but you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere.

You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area - hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or terrorism.

You should also be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation.

Basic disaster preparedness

Get informed about hazards and emergencies that may affect you and your family.
Develop an emergency plan.
Collect and assemble disaster supplies kit.
Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards.
Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes.
Include in your plan required information from community and school plans.
Learn what to do for specific hazards in your area.
Practice and maintain your plan.

Other things to consider

After a disaster: Dealing with power outages, water treatment, frozen pipes, generator usage and financial recovery.
Emotions and recovery: Coping with trauma and dealing with emotions.
Home safety: How to prepare your household for emergencies and make your home safer.
Natural and human-caused disasters: Preparing for and responding to emergency situations.
Terrorism: Getting ready for and recovering from a terrorist attack.
Workplace preparedness: Recommendations for the work environment.

2007 Emergency Resource Guide

The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division has published a thorough 42-page Emergency Resource Guide, in English and Spanish, offering information on all types of emergency issues, from anthrax to windstorms. You can order, view or download the full handbook from the DOH website .

Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Disaster preparation can also reduce the impact of disasters (flood proofing, elevating a home or moving a home out of harm's way, and securing items that could shake loose in an earthquake) and sometimes avoid the danger completely. Don't wait until it's too late - prepare today to protect you and your family tomorrow.