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“Kentuckians face threats to their safety and property throughout the year; from tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds, lightning winter storms, man-made hazards, to daily emergencies”, said Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, who traveled to Hopkinsville recently with Travis and Assistant Emergency Management Direct Fred Brown to attend a weather training meeting. "Every household, every public building, and every business should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time.”
A disaster can occur anytime, anywhere in Kentucky. In fact, cleanup and damage assessments continue in Floyd and Johnson counties from recent thunderstorms. Heavy rain there forced evacuations and damaged dozens of homes. Fortunately no one was hurt.
“We urge Kentuckians to be prepared for any emergency or disaster,” said Gene Kiser, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. “Supplies such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, radios and first aid kits are easy to store, and can be lifesavers when a crisis hits. A communication plan with family, friends and neighbors is also important. Emergency situations can happen any time, any place, so it is smart to be prepared.”
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| Dossett |
“In the event of large-scale disasters, it may take time for local and state resources to respond to each community,” Dossett said, who was also at the recent meeting in Hopkinsville. “Disasters such as the massive statewide ice storm in 2009, flooding in 2011 and tornadoes in spring 2012 taught us the value of individual and family preparedness.”
Travis said educating and preparing citizens is important, which is why Gov. Beshear, Kentucky Homeland Security and Kentucky Emergency Management are joining together to offer the preparedness tips.
Be Aware:
- Stay informed about risks in your communities and monitor weather forecasts.
- Own and monitor a battery backed-up NOAA Weather Alert Radio. During threatening weather, stay tuned to your local broadcast stations.
- Discuss conditions with family members, and know their locations during dangerous weather.
- Discuss known risks with family members and neighbors.
- Develop and review your emergency plan periodically for necessary updates.
- Refresh your emergency kit(s) periodically. A kit should have enough food, water and medications for five days.
- Drill: practice your plan with household members.
- Utilities - Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
- Shelter - Identify safe locations within your residence.
- Contacts - Written contact information for relatives, neighbors, utility companies, employers/employees and local emergency contact telephone numbers.
- Evacuate - Predetermine evacuation routes. Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places, such as a friend or relative's home in another town, a motel or shelter.
- Children - Make backup plans for children in case you (or they) can’t get home in an emergency
- Vehicles - Keep jumper cables in vehicle at all times. Maintain at least a half tank of fuel in vehicles. Move vehicles away from under trees during possible wind events. Keep an emergency kit in all vehicles. During winter months, keep a blanket and bag of kitty litter in the trunk.
- Medications - prepare a list of all prescription drugs.
- Share your plan with others, including friends or relatives in another region or even another state.
- First aid kit and essential medications (to include prescription medicines).
- Canned food and can opener
- At least three gallons of water per person
- Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
- Waterproof matches and candles
- Local phone book
- Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
- Extra set of car keys
