Citizen s Guide To Emergency Preparedness

Transcription

1 Citizen s Guide To Emergency Preparedness

2 Welcome to the Town of Shallotte We are pleased to provide the citizens and visitors of Shallotte with this Emergency Preparedness Guide. Each individual and family needs to be prepared. Being informed and your actions will be important in a time of a disaster. The Town of Shallotte is a wonderful place to live, work and play. The Town of Shallotte is committed to Emergency Preparedness. The key to survival is planning and preparation. This guide has been designed to help you and your family prepare for a disaster-related emergency. Local Response Agencies In an Emergency Dial Town of Shallotte Shallotte Fire & Rescue (Non-emergency) Town of Shallotte Administration Town of Shallotte Public Works (Emergency Number) Town of Shallotte Police Department (Non-emergency) Brunswick Novant Medical Center Brunswick County Emergency Services (Non-emergency) Brunswick Electric Customer Service Outage Reporting Brunswick County Sheriff s Office (Non-emergency) North Carolina Department of Transportation Information Cape Fear Area Cape Fear Chapter Call Before You Dig Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Brunswick County Public Utilities Department Brunswick County Solid Waste & Recycling

3 Introduction A Citizen s Guide to Emergency Preparedness has been developed by the Town of Shallotte to help our residents, businesses and guests prepare to safely face a variety of emergencies. We hope that you will find the information provided helpful. Overview During an emergency and depending on the type of incident, you may be asked to shelter-in place or evacuate. It is important to plan for both possibilities and to listen to instructions from the Mayor and Town and County Emergency Management Officials. Evacuation The Town of Shallotte Mayor may authorize a partial evacuation for low lying areas within the Town or authorize a voluntary evacuation for the entire Town. The Governor of North Carolina may require a mandatory evacuation. You are encouraged to evacuate when instructed. For example, during a hurricane, emergency services may be unavailable for an undetermined amount of time and you will be on your own without access to essential items such as food, water, electricity, medical services or fuel for your vehicle. Evacuations of specific areas occur because authorities determine that there is an immediate threat to your life and safety. Please review information on emergency supplies, shelters and emergency contract information needed during an evacuation. Brunswick County now offers pet shelter(s) at designated locations within Brunswick County based on the incident type. It is important to make arrangements for your pet prior to an evacuation order. Evacuation Planning Steps 1. Where would you go? Locations should be considered in adjacent counties or states where family or friends are located that would place you away from the hazard that prompted the evacuation. It is important to consider destinations that can be reached with one tank of fuel to save time if it removes you from the hazard area. 2. Where would you stay? Often shelters are utilized in Brunswick County but, depending on the degree of hazard neighboring host counties may provide shelters as directed by Brunswick County Emergency Management. It is important to understand shelters only provide basic needs and the importance of personal evacuation supply kits. 3. What would you take with you? Evacuation supply kits should contain non-perishable food, water, clothes, cash, important documents and prescription medications. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that you plan to be selfsustaining for at least three days. If you don t have reliable transportation of your own, and you need advice about what options are available from your neighbors or local government, please contact Brunswick County Emergency Management in advance at Shelter in Place The Town of Shallotte may ask residents to Shelter in Place during an emergency that has more risk to you if you should try to evacuate

4 (such as a Hazardous Materials spill). Sheltering in Place during a tropical storm or hurricane when a voluntary or mandatory evacuation has been recommended or ordered should not be an option! Sheltering in place offers you and your family immediate protection for a short period of time in your home, school, business or other facility. If you are told to shelter in place, get everyone indoors immediately to a central room. If your children are at school, do not leave your house to go get them. Going outside could expose you to the Hazardous Materials or other hazard. Is Your Home Safe To Enter? Professional Brunswick County Building Inspectors will conduct neighborhood by neighborhood surveys to assess the safety of homes and commercial buildings for any potential hazard. They will leave behind a placard displayed on the building or at the building site to communicate the results of their inspection. The color of the placard will tell the owner the condition of the building and provide guidance on how to proceed with repairs. This information will also be relayed to the Town of Shallotte. Check local social media sites that broadcast emergency information. Turn on a radio or television to a local station that broadcasts emergency information. Follow instructions provided by local officials who may provide specific instructions. Be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so by public safety officials. Return and Re-Entry from a Full or Partial Evacuation Once an evacuation order has been rescinded by State, County and Local officials this information will be relayed through the media to inform residents, businesses and guests. Based on the nature and extent of damage entry may be limited to only emergency service personnel and approved clean-up contractors. When residents and businesses are allowed to re-enter it is important to remember that dangers always exist following a disaster and to use caution when re-entering impacted areas.

5 Prepare Your Home: Cover all of your home s windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds. Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down. Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. Turn off utilities and propane tank. Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water. Document, photograph or video tape possessions for insurance purposes. Close interior doors. Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home. Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable. Document, photograph or video tape possessions for insurance purposes. Disaster Types Hurricane & Coastal Storm Prepare Your Business: Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. Identify operations critical to survival and recovery. Plan what you will do if your building or store is not accessible. Hurricanes and Coastal Storms frequently impact the Coastal Carolinas. It is important to understand terms that are used to identify a Hurricane provided by the National Weather Service which include: Photo Credit: Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours

6 in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropicalstorm-force winds. Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours. Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours. Storm Surge: estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide. SLOSH Model Hurricane Inundation Map (Estimated Sea, Lake, & Overland Storm Surge from a Hurricane) Yellow Category 1 & 2 Green Category 3 Pink Category 3 & 4 (Photo Credit: Brunswick County Planning Department) (Photo Credit: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually (Photo Credit: Carleton.edu)

7 Hurricane s that Impacted NC: Hurricane Name Saffir-Simpson Category Year Hurricane Fran Category: Hurricane Emily Category: North Carolina residents have felt shocks from earthquakes over the past several hundred years. Mostly property damage has been associated with earthquake experiences. Hurricane Gloria Category: Hurricane Diana Category: Hurricane Donna Hurricane Helene Category: Category: Earthquake History: Date: Location: March 8, 1735 Bath, NC Hurricane Lone Category: Feb. 21, 1774 Virginia / NC Hurricane Connie Category: Great Quakes Missouri Hurricane Hazel Category: Earthquakes Aug. 31, 1886 May 31, 1897 Jan. 1, 1913 Oct. 29, 1915 Feb. 21, 1916 Aug. 26, 1916 Jan. 1, 1935 March 5, 1958 Sept. 9, 1970 Charleston, SC Giles Co. Virginia Union Co. SC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Winston-Salem, NC NC / SC Line Wilmington, NC Boone, NC Photo Credit: (U.S. Geological Survey)

8 Earthquakes continued Secure large or heavy objects on walls or shelves. Hanging pictures or mirrors should be located away from bed, sofas or anywhere people would sit. During a flood Evaluate the locations of utilities if your home or businesses in susceptible to flooding. Move to higher ground if there is any possibility of a flash flood. Secure water heater to wall studs or bolt it to the floor. Avoid taking shelter in areas with hanging objects, mirrors, windows, tall furniture and large appliances. Be aware of rivers, ponds, and storm drainage systems that may be affected by a flash flood. Turn off utilities if instructed to do so by authority officials. Flooding Be aware of potential hazards following the shaking that could have impacted utilities such as gas and electrical services. If you are outside be observant of hazards like trees and power lines. After a flood Avoid walking or driving through moving water or water covered roads. Listen for news reports to learn whether the water supply is safe to drink. Avoid floodwater due to the possibility of contamination from oil, gasoline, raw sewage. It may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Thunderstorms Thunderstorms often occur in the Town of Shallotte with high rates of precipitation, hail, flash floods, high winds and lighting strikes. Photo Credit: Before a thunderstorm The Town of Shallotte is subject to flooding and it may take place along the Shallotte River or in low lying areas. Flash floods can develop quickly and with little or no warning. Before a flood Remove dead or rotting tress and branches that could fall and cause injury or death on your property. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage from a storm. Determine if you live or plan to build in a FEMA classified flood zone.

9 During a thunderstorm avoid the following: Cooking Showering or bathing due to electrical shock risk. Never store combustibles in the oven or on or near the stove top. Using corded telephones. Outside areas like open golf courses as isolated trees can become lightning rods. Hilltops, open fields, bodies of water and watercraft on the water. Move grills away from the house 10- feet. Inspect counter-top appliances and cords for damage and replace as needed. Never leave cooking unattended. Anything metal like tractors, motorcycles, golf carts and bicycles. If you are outside Get inside a home, building or hard top vehicle if possible. Go to a low place such as a dry ditch. Smoke / CO Detectors Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and in every sleeping area. Install CO detectors near gas fired equipment or on that level of your home. Be aware of flash flooding. Test your detectors every month. Replace detector batteries twice a year. Home Fire Safety Electrical Avoid overloading circuits. Do not tack cord to the wall or run under rugs. Maintain airspace around electrical equipment. Exit drills in the Home Photo Credit: Develop a home escape plan with two exits out of every room and have a designated meeting place outside. Practice fire drills twice a year. Teach family members how to use 911, stop, drop and roll and how to crawl low under the smoke. Have additional outlets installed by a qualified electrician to avoid using extension cords or cube taps. Smoking materials / Candles Do not leave burning cigarettes or candles unattended. Never smoke in bed.

10 Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. Tornado Heating Equipment Keep space heaters a minimum of 3 feet away from combustibles. Clean furnace filters. Photo Credit: Important terms associated with Tornadoes include: Clean lint from behind clothes dryer and dryer vent line. A Tornado Watch means a tornado is possible in your area. Keep combustibles away from water heaters / furnace. Fire Extinguishers Purchase a multipurpose (ABC) fire extinguisher. Train your family on how to properly use the fire extinguisher. Inspect extinguisher periodically. Accessibility for Emergency Personnel Emergency vehicles should be able to easily identify your address from the road, day or night. There should be no overhanging branches or other obstructions that would prevent a fire truck or ambulance from getting to your home. Common examples of home fire hazards A Tornado Warning means a tornado is imminent or occurring, and you should take shelter immediately. Prepare Your Family Determine in advance where you will take shelter. Tornado warnings are often issued on short notice. Interior closets, bathrooms or basements provide the best protection. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. DO NOT stay inside vehicles, trailers and mobile homes. These are not designed to withstand damaging winds from a tornado. If you re outside and unable to find a structural shelter, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. Replace frayed or cracked extension cords and appliance cords. DO NOT get under an overpass or bridge. Repair or replace appliances that overheat, short out, smoke or spark. Cover exposed electrical outlets and wiring.

11 Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale: Hazardous Materials Photo Credit: Household Chemicals Wildfires Some chemicals pose a danger because they don t emit odors or have particular tastes, while others are easier to recognize due to their physical reactions. It is important to store and dispose of chemicals properly to prevent physical or environmental damage. Photo Credit: Prepare Your Home Property designing and landscaping are important preventive measures you can take. Select materials and plants that would help slow and contain a fire. Mulch has a slower flame spread rate than pine straw. Hardwood trees are less combustible than Evergreens. Store flammable liquids such as gasoline, acetone, benzene and lacquer thinner in approved safety cans and away from sources of ignition. Keep combustible liquids such as paint thinner, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid and turpentine away from heat sources. Store oily waste and polishing rags in small covered metal cans to prevent vapor buildup. Store your chemicals if possible in the garage or shed and not in or under your home s kitchen counter. Cleaning roof and gutters of any leaves or pine straw is important. Often yard maintenance and removal of bulk leaves, dead limbs and combustible dead vegetation will help eliminate potential fuel sources.

12 Evacuation & Shelter In Place The Town of Shallotte Mayor may authorize a voluntary evacuation for the entire Town. The Governor of North Carolina may require a mandatory evacuation for Brunswick County including the Town of Shallotte. We encourage all residents, businesses, and guests to evacuate when instructed. For example, we are most susceptible to hurricanes, following a major hurricane basic necessaries such as food, water, electricity, medical services or fuel for your generator or vehicle may be limited or inaccessible. Evacuations issued are because authorities have determined that there is an immediate threat to your life and safety. Brunswick County Sheriff s Department has pet friendly shelters located at: Brunswick County Animal Services 429 Green Swamp Road Supply, NC Phone: animalservices@brunsco.net Secondary Shelter Animal Services West Brunswick High School 550 Whiteville Road Shallotte, NC (Limited Dogs & Cats) (Pets are kept in a separate area of shelter) Return & Re-entry The return and re-entry from a full or partial evacuation order will be given by the Town of Shallotte Mayor though an order terminating a State of Emergency. This then would be followed by directions to return to the Town as soon as it is safe to return to the impacted area. It is important to remember that local officials will make every attempt to make the Town as safe as possible. Dangers always exist during disaster and residents should use caution when re-entering any affected area.

13 Additional Information Important Town of Shallotte Information For Police, Fire and Medical Emergencies Dial Town of Shallotte: Town of Shallotte Public Utilities (Emergency): (Pager) NC Department of Transportation (Traffic Information): Brunswick County Emergency Services (Non- Emergency): Brunswick County Emergency Services (Emergency): Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce: or United Way Wilmington: or Red Cross Wilmington: Brunswick County Sheriff s Office Animal Protective Services: Important Websites Town of Shallotte Town of Shallotte Social Media Brunswick County Emergency Management Brunswick County Sheriff s Office Animal Protective Services North Carolina Department of Transportation National Hurricane Center Federal Emergency Management Agency Ready America American Red Cross

14 Veterinarian: Name: Personal Emergency Contact Form Out of State Contact: Name: City / State: Phone (H): Phone (C): Local Contact: Phone: Reunion Locations: 1. Right outside your home: 2. Away from the neighborhood, in case you cannot return home: Phone: Name: City / State: Phone (H): Phone (C): Nearest Relative: Name: City / State: Phone (H): Phone (C): Family Work / School Phone Numbers: Father: Mother: Children: Family Physicians: Name: Phone: Name: Phone:

15 Basic Emergency Preparedness Kit: Year-round items like: Extra batteries (check shelf life) Water Plastic containers are best and non-breakable. Plan for one (1) gallon of water per person per day. Food (non-perishable) Three to five days of non-perishable food per person. Examples: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, juices, and soup. High energy foods like: Peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars and trail mix. Comfort foods like: Cookies, hard candy, instant coffee, and tea bags. Clothing & Bedding First-Aid Kit / Prescription Medications First aid kits for your home and vehicle. Items should include sterile adhesive bandages, gauze pads, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, triangular bandages, sterile gauze roll bandages, scissors, tweezers, moistened towelettes, antiseptic, thermometer, disposable gloves and sunscreen. Aspirin or other pain medications, anti-diarrhea medication, and laxatives. Tools Mess kits or paper products Plastic utensils Non-electric radio Flashlight Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors Cash (ATM s do not work in power outage) Manual can opener ABC type Fire Extinguisher Shovel Pliers Compass Waterproof matches Shut-off wrench for house utilities Whistle Toilet paper Soap and liquid detergent Feminine supplies Plastic garbage bags with ties Disinfectant spray Household chlorine bleach Emergency Supplies Specialty Items Babies: Formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk and medications.

16 Adults: Important Family Documents: Medications, prescriptions, denture needs, eye glasses and / or contact lenses and related supplies. Entertainment: Games, books and several quiet toys for children. Pets: Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, passports, stocks and bonds, immunization records, important phone numbers, credit card accounts, social security cards and other personal family records. These supplies should be stored in a small container inside the home. Container should be easy to carry (often wheeled totes containers are best). Rotating water and non-perishable food supplies every three to six months. Check your kits yearly and reassess personnel needs and kit contents. Consult your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications. Maintain a list of your prescription needs. Food, water, bowls, bedding, collars and leashes, medicines, cage/crate, vet information and vaccination records.

17 Shelter in Place Kit Shelter-in-place" means to take immediate shelter where you are at home, work, school, or in between. (CDC.gov) Suggested Items: Nonperishable food Bottled water Battery-powered radios First-aid supplies Flashlights Batteries Duct tape Plastic sheeting Plastic garbage bags If you are told to "shelter-in-place," act quickly. Follow the instructions of local authorities. In general: 1. Bring children and pets indoors immediately. If your children are at school, do not try to bring them home unless told to. The school will shelter them. 2. Close and lock all outside doors and windows. Locking may provide a tighter seal. 3. If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. 4. Turn off the heating, ventilation or air conditioning system. Turn off all fans, including bathroom fans operated by the light switch. 5. Close the fireplace or woodstove damper. Become familiar with proper operation of flues and dampers ahead of time. 6. Get your disaster supply kit, and make sure the radio is working. 7. Take everyone, including pets, into an interior room with no or few windows and shut the door. 8. If you have pets, prepare a place for them to relieve themselves where you are taking shelter. Pets should not go outside during a chemical or radiation emergency because it is harmful to them and they may track contaminants into your shelter. The Humane Society of the United States suggests that you have plenty of plastic bags and newspapers, as well as containers and cleaning supplies, to help deal with pet waste. 9. If you are instructed to seal the room, use duct tape and plastic sheeting, such as heavy-duty plastic garbage bags, to seal all cracks around the door into the room. Tape plastic over any windows. Tape over any vents and seal electrical outlets and other openings. As much as possible, reduce the flow of air into the room. 10. Call your emergency contact and keep the phone handy in case you need to report a life-threatening condition. Otherwise stay off the phone, so that the lines will be available for use by emergency responders. 11. Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Do not evacuate unless instructed to do so. 12. When you are told that the emergency is over, open windows and doors, turn on ventilation systems, and go outside until the building's air has been exchanged with the now clean outdoor air. Follow any special instructions given by emergency authorities to avoid chemical or radiological contaminants outdoors. (CDC.gov)

18 Evacuation Supply Kit family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including: - A jacket or coat - Long pants - A long sleeve shirt - Sturdy shoes - A hat and gloves - A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person Emergency Supplies: Water, food, and clean air are important things to have if an emergency happens. Each family or individual's kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents. Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit: - Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation - Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food - Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both - Flashlight and extra batteries - First Aid kit - Whistle to signal for help - Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant - Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation - Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air - Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-inplace - Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities - Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) Clothing and Bedding: If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other Below are some other items for your family to consider adding to its supply kit. Some of these items, especially those marked with a * can be dangerous, so please have an adult collect these supplies. - Emergency reference materials such as a first aid book or a print out of the information on - Rain gear - Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils - Cash or traveler's checks, change - Paper towels - Fire Extinguisher - Tent - Compass - Matches in a waterproof container* - Signal flare* - Paper, pencil - Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies - Disinfectant* - Household chlorine bleach* - You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to treat water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners. - Medicine dropper - Important Family Documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container