Tornado Outbreak Brings Up Questions On Preparedness

An EF4 Tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama on April 27, 2011. (Image courtesy Wikipedia)

April has been one of the deadliest months on record for tornadoes. With the massive destruction and death that has fallen upon the Southern States, local residents have been evaluating their plans and readiness for such an event. In the words of the Mahaska County Emergency Management website: “It is this department’s belief that it isn’t a matter of if, but a matter of when”.

Jamey Robinson, Mahaska County Emergency Manager, recently spoke with Osky News about being prepared for a Tornado that could impact your home and your loved ones.

Robinson has 30 tips to Preparedness on www.mahaskaready.com that helps everyone be more prepared for emergencies. “Everyone should start preparing now. Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean you should take the water and blankets out of the car, or just because its winter doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for tornadoes. Everyone in Iowa knows that ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change’! We cannot rely on others, and with the devastation that might be associated with it [tornado], it may take some time before responders can get to you or your loved ones; so prepare.”

But what happens if your away from home? You could be out shopping, at a ball game, or even at church. Robinson has this to say about how to help increase your chances of survival if a tornado was to strike at those times:

“If individuals are at a local shopping center when the sirens go off, they need to follow the store employees on where to go and what to do. DO NOT try to run out to your car and get home. This will put you and your family in great risk. No matter how much of a pain it is to remain in the store, it is much safer for you to wait it out. Churches and business should all have plans that are in place so that they know what to do. They should further practice these plans! Make sure the basement can hold all of your congregation or patrons. Don’t wait till the last minute to find out! I have helped some organizations with emergency plans, and if any business or church would like more information they can contact me and we can get a plan developed for them.”

For the sake of argument, we will say that a large scale disaster has impacted Mahaska County. You are attempting to return home to check on it and your loved ones or neighbors but local authorities are not allowing you home. You can’t contact them by phone, or reach out to help your neighbors. In that situation Robinson says, “If people would be coming into town trying to search for family or friends we would have to stop them. There is no sense in people crowding the scenes for responders or becoming victims themselves. There would be a site set up, determined by EMA, that would allow people to register and would help reunite them with family and friends. Furthermore, there would be a volunteer center set up for those that wanted to help. Our first task would be to get everyone accounted for, so citizens would just have to be patient and know that we are doing all that we can.”

Jamey Robinson seen replacing a non-functional emergency weather radio at the Oskaloosa Christian School

Speaking of volunteers, Mahaska County Emergency Management has a CERT Team that is comprised of trained volunteers from the community that are called upon in times of an emergency to help emergency workers. As described on the MCEM website: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Robinson encourages everyone interested in volunteering for this to contact him. Even if your don’t have the time to volunteer to the extent that a full CERT member would, Robinson explains there are opportunities for those with less time, as well.

Two of the main things that I encourage people at home to do is:

1. Have a weather radio that has battery backup or even hand crank power
2. PRACTICE tornado drills at home.  Especially with children or ‘special needs’ family members.  There is no sense in waiting until the sirens are going off to try and get to shelter.  Don’t just think out a plan; practice it. This will also help children know what to do in the event you are not in the home when something happens.

As far as supplies go, every home should have at a minimum:

• Clean water-1 gallon per person, per day, for 72 hours (3 days)
• Canned food or MRE’s (Meals ready to eat). You can, actually, get MRE’s at Wal-Mart now. They are not the greatest, but will work. Baby formula should be included. And don’t forget the can opener!
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Trash bags, a 5-gallon bucket, and kitty litter.  In the event you have to use the bathroom and can’t get out of the basement.
• First aid kit
• Money-ATM’s or banks might be closed or damaged.
• Personal hygiene items-Baby wipes will work to bathe with if needed.
• Extra clothes/Diapers
• Don’t wait until the last minute to get your medications refilled. If something were to happen you may not be able to get much needed prescriptions.
• If you have ‘special needs’ family members make sure they have plenty of supplies like oxygen or other needed medical supplies.
• Keep important documents in a safe in your shelter.  It doesn’t do you any good if it’s blown away from the upstairs bedroom.
• Pet supplies

You can contact Robinson at the Mahaska County Emergency Management Website HERE- http://www.mahaskaready.com/Contact.html or by phone 641.672.1209

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