Disaster preparedness, recovery programs, supply kits, and safe locations.
The City's Emergency Management department knows the likelihood of you and your family recovering from an emergency tomorrow depends on the planning and preparation you do today. While everyone's abilities and needs are unique, every individual can take steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies. These emergencies can be from fires, severe weather, flooding, and other natural and/or man made hazard events.
By looking at your own personnel needs and making an emergency plan that fits those needs, you and your family can be better prepared to face what might come your way. Preparing makes sense for everyone.
The American Red Cross has a free Tornado App for iPhone and Android. It will inform you of tornado warnings and watches and severe weather in your area. It also provides information such as what to do before and after a tornado and what you should do to prepare for one. The app lets your phone function as a flashlight, strobe light, alarm, etc. and will allow you to communicate with others to let them know if you are safe or need assistance.
129 5th Avenue NWP.O. Box 1288Miami, OK 74355
Phone: 918-542-6685
Steps to take in creating a household emergency plan include:
Oklahomans are reminded that tornadoes can occur any time of year. Knowing the difference between watches and warnings can help save lives.
Once severe weather has passed, be prepared for possible flooding to occur. Also, watch for downed power lines and never drive into high water.
129 5th Avenue NWP.O. Box 1288Miami, OK 74355
Phone: 918-542-6685
Before an emergency strikes, take time to identify your safest place at home, at work, and at school. Many people have survived strong tornadoes in a closet or small interior room without windows. Usually the safest place will be on the lowest floor. If you live in a mobile home, identify the nearest sturdy building - it may not be safe to remain in a mobile home during a storm.
At schools, offices, and hospitals, preparedness plans are especially important due to the large number of people on hand and the large amount of glass at many sites. Know the safest place for you to shelter in place and make sure others know their assigned location as well. At shopping malls, indoor pools, and gymnasiums, long spanning buildings are commonly found. These locations can be dangerous because the entire roof can be supported by the outside walls. If caught in such an open building, the restroom may be the best place to take shelter.
If possible, one of the best ways to prepare for survival in Tornado Alley states like Oklahoma is to build or install a safe rooms in your home or workplace. Your local emergency manager or home builders association will have information about safe rooms. Plan how to get to your safest place, and share the information with your family.
129 5th Avenue NWP.O. Box 1288Miami, OK 74355
Phone: 918-542-6685
Electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, or telephone service may not work in an emergency. Preparing disaster supply kits in advance can save precious time in the event you must evacuate or go without utilities for an extended period.
Store items for a "go" kit in an easy-to-carry bag and keep in a car or in the garage. The "home" kit can be stored in a plastic tub or garbage can and kept in your home's safest place where you will take shelter.
Consider including the following items when putting together your disaster supply kit:
129 5th Avenue NWP.O. Box 1288Miami, OK 74355
Phone: 918-542-6685
Disaster recovery consists of the actions taken by a community to return to normal or near-normal conditions. It often includes the restoring of basic services and repairing of physical, social, and economic damages. Typical recovery actions will include debris cleanup, financial assistance to individuals and to city governments, and sustaining mass care for human and animal populations that are displaced because of the disaster.
Disaster recovery typically occurs in phases beginning with efforts to help those affected meet immediate needs for housing, food, and water. As those needs are met and people continue to repair their homes and businesses and return to work, long term recovery begins to take place. Long term recovery consists of the continuance of cleanup and rebuilding efforts of roads, bridges, and key facilities with the help and support of government agencies, voluntary organizations, and the private sector. Due to how severe the impacts of the disaster, considerable interagency coordination and technical support may be required.
129 5th Avenue NWP.O. Box 1288Miami, OK 74355
Phone: 918-542-6685
