August 8th, 2012
This Week In Orange County 8-8-12
Orange County Executive Edward Diana
The staff at Orange County Emergency Services recently reminded me that August 1st started hurricane season for New York.
To mark the date, they’re keeping a close eye on a storm forming off the coast of Africa. Forecasters predict up to 15 named storms will form during the 2012 hurricane season.
After last summer’s storms, Irene and Lee, we well know the devastating effects that can come with a hurricane. Last year, there were people who found it necessary to evacuate their homes in order to escape the rising flood waters. Incredibly, those storms caused significant flooding in places that have seldom seen it before. If the need to evacuate arises, or in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, being prepared is critical to ensuring a positive outcome for you and your loved ones.
To make sure you’re prepared, Orange County Emergency Services encourages all residents, individuals and families, to do three key things - prepare an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.
The following items are recommended to prepare a basic emergency supply kit, plan for a three-day supply:
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation and at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food;
• Battery-powered or hand crank 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;
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting, and duct tape to shelter-in-place;
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation;
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities and can opener for food (if kit contains canned food);
• Local maps.
Other items to consider including in your emergency supply kit are: prescription medications and glasses, infant formula and diapers, pet food and extra water for your pet, important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account information, stored in a waterproof, portable container, cash and change, sleeping bags or blankets, change of clothing, household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper, fire extinguisher, matches, personal hygiene items, paper and pencil, and non-battery/electricity operated activities to keep children busy.
For more information about how to prepare your family in the event of an emergency, check out the Emergency Management pages on the County website at www.orangecountygov.com.
Until next week, I wish you good health and happiness.