Are You Prepared for a Disaster?
05/22/2013
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Are you prepared for a disaster1/2 (Lawrence, Kan.) - The recent tornado in Moore, Okla. is a reminder to our community that emergency planning and preparation is critical to surviving a natural disaster. Do you know where you would go if a tornado was approaching1/2 Do you have your emergency kit ready and available at a moment's notice1/2 If not, take time now to make these plans and prepare for an emergency. Lawrence and Douglas County do not have public/community tornado shelters. All individuals should develop a plan for when severe weather strikes, wherever you might be, such as, at home, work, school, shopping or traveling. - First, everyone should know how to receive notification of impending weather. Weather radios, the IRIS call notification system, local media, cell phones apps, etc., can all provide timely information. To sign up for the IRIS call notification system for Douglas County, visit www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/em_iris.aspx. Also, consider how you and your family will communicate following an emergency if you are separated. - Second, each person, household or workplace must determine where to take cover. The best location is an interior room on the lowest level of your building with no windows. If you are in a multi-story building, consider making arrangements to move to the lowest level during severe weather or contact family/friends who have a basement. For more information on tornado preparedness, visit http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/docs/pdf/tornadoreadyness.pdf. - Third, assemble an emergency kit with food, water, whistle, copies of your important documents, extra clothing, pet supplies, personal items, critical medications, etc. For additional information about emergency kits and needed supplies, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. Outdoor warnings sirens are intended to warn people who are outdoors of imminent severe weather. When the sirens are activated, you should take cover immediately. They sound for a 3 minute cycle, and may be activated more than once during a warning. There is no "all clear" siren. Monitor local media outlets to learn when storms have moved out of the area. Visit Douglas County Emergency Management online at http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/em_home.aspx or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter. -END-
Related Links:
DCEM on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/dgcoem
DCEM on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/dgcoem
IRIS Call Notification System Info - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/em_iris.aspx.
Tornado Preparedness - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/docs/pdf/tornadoreadyness.pdf
Preparedness Kit Information - http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
Media Contact:
Jillian Rodrigue, Assistant Director
Emergency Management Department
785-832-5259
jrodrigue@douglas-county.com