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| This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners. |
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DHS -FEMA Updates
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Hurricane Sandy Threatens U.S. Coast – Ensure You Are Prepared!
Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are predicting Hurricane Sandy will bring increasingly strong winds over the Florida Peninsula, spreading northward to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Virginia Beach through at least Saturday.
This is a perfect time to remind you, it is still hurricane season. Emergency managers have been keeping a close eye on Sandy, saying that by early next week it could miss the New England region entirely, brush by it, or slam directly into it early next week. Experts believe the area will not go unscathed. A direct-hit scenario would have “huge implications” in New England, the Weather Service said in a forecast discussion posted Wednesday. Even if Sandy only makes a “close pass” it will likely be impactful to the New England region with strong winds that would topple trees causing widespread power outages, storm surge, and coastal flooding.
If you have not done so already, it is important to ensure you:
- Check your family's emergency supply kit – make certain you have food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you, your family and family pets for at least 72 hours.
- Follow the direction of local officials –evacuation orders may be issued by officials, so follow their guidance. When it comes to swimming, follow local warnings as well. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by storms.
- Keep up to date with local conditions – follow TV and radio reports from your area, or visit www.weather.gov ( http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) for the latest forecast.
- Remember food safety – power outages and flooding may happen as a result of a tropical storm or hurricane, so have a plan for keeping food safe. Have a cooler on hand to keep food cold, and group food together in the freezer so it stays cold longer.
- Have an adequate communication plan - be sure friends and family know how to contact you. Teach family members how to use text messaging as text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call can't get through.
Keep in mind, hurricanes bring heavy rains, storm surges, and possible flooding events. Avoid walking or driving through any flooded areas – it takes only six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!
For those who may be in the path of Sandy, you can get hurricane safety tips right on your phone by downloading these useful apps:
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Prepare for hazards in YOUR area
Although you may not be in Sandy's path, now is a good time to review the potential hazards where you live. Knowing likely risks for your area, whether wildfires, earthquakes, or tornadoes, and knowing what to do when a disaster strikes is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds matter. Local Emergency management offices can help you identify hazards in your community and can outline the local plans and recommendations for each. And be sure to share this information with family, neighbors, colleagues and friends – talking about preparedness helps everyone be ready “just in case.” Use the links below to make your family, business and community safer, more resilient and better prepared for any disaster event.
Useful links
What to do before, during, and after a hurricane or tropical storm
Latest Sandy forecast from the National Hurricane Center
Community preparedness tools and resources
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WebinarAnnouncement: Volunteer and Service Opportunities to Engage and Prepare Your Communities Plan ahead and be prepared for National Family Volunteer Day on November 17th by joining the FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Division and Ready.gov for a FREE webinar on Wednesday, November 7th. National Family Volunteer Day is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving and kicks off National Family Week. National Family Volunteer Day was created to mobilize family members within the community and is a great opportunity to get families involved in service, including projects and activities that help communities to prepare for disasters. Our guest speakers will discuss ways that you can capitalize on this event and engage families in your community and encourage those haven't yet made a family service-day commitment to do something that will help prepare their community for disasters. Helping others provides opportunities for family members to be role models and brings them closer together while also making a difference in their communities.
Speakers from the Hands On Network and Serve Alabama will share their own service initiatives and efforts to engage the public in volunteer opportunities and service projects:
Register/Log in
Register if this is your first time joining the Community Preparedness Webinar Series.
Log in if you have already registered for this webinar, have registered for a previous webinar or if you're a HSIN.gov user.
If you have questions regarding this event, please contact citizencorps@dhs.gov .
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The Great Shakeout – A Great Success
On October 18 th 2012 over 14 million people participated in the Great Shakeout , including FEMA leadership . Individuals, schools, businesses and government agencies participated in record numbers. We hope you participated too and now know the protective actions to take during an earthquake! Remember, ShakeOut Resources such as drill manuals, fact sheets, videos, and other materials remain available for your use in developing preparedness plans and other activities so you can continue to be prepared. Also, don't forget the 7 Steps to Earthquake Safety !
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Back to the Future with FEMA's Think Tank
Join FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino for this month's Think Tank call live from Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 3:15 p.m. EDT.
During this month's call we will be taking the opportunity to look back at various solutions-based models that have been identified on previous calls and implemented in local communities to advance emergency management. Topics include the use of HAM radios, disability inclusiveness, and best practices during the Joplin, Missouri tornado response.
Let your voice be heard, join us next Tuesday!
WHEN: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
3:15 pm (Eastern)
WHERE: Orlando, Florida
Call in: 888-957-9819
PassCode: THINK TANK
Captioning: If you'd like to access the captioning for this conference you may do so by clicking the following link at the start of the call: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=2015383&CustomerID=321
Before our next call we encourage you to visit the online forum at www.fema.gov/thinktank to comment on the ideas we will be discussing this month or submit your own ideas and comments. Since this forum has been created more than 2,000 individuals have participated in Think Tank discussions online and in conference calls. Participants on the conference calls are from a varied audience of state, tribal, local, and Federal emergency managers, first responders, and others concerned about helping our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
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Celebrating “Make a Difference Day”
Last year over 3 million people participated on Make a Difference Day - a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors . So, on October 27 th this year join us in celebrating Make a Difference Day by taking a look around your community and get involved. Check out Mesa, Arizona's Volunteer Toolkit for ideas on how to begin a volunteer project in your community.
Be part of the solution by helping your community be disaster ready. Get in touch with your Citizen Corps Council or Community Emergency Response Team to find ways that you can get involved to help your community prepare for disaster. Check out our partner programs for more opportunities to serve your community.
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Calling for All Submissions! –Community Resilience Initiative (CRI) Challenge Deadline Approaching! The application period for this year's CRI Challenge is coming to an end and we are calling for all applications. We want to hear your innovative ideas for fostering a Whole Community approach to local resilience. So, don't miss this opportunity to tell us the fantastic things that you are doing in your community! Submit your great idea to the CRI Challenge for the chance to be awarded a grant up to $35,000 and help make your community more resilient!
Applications must be postmarked by October 26, 2012 or emailed by 11:59 pm PDT . Visit www.ResilienceChallenge.org for more information.
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Dates for Your Calendar!
- October is Crime Prevention Month
- October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
- October 22 – 26: National School Bus Safety Week / America's Safe Schools Week
- October 26: Deadline to Submit Applications for CRI Challenge
- October 27: Make a Difference Day
- October 30: FEMA Think Tank Conference Call
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Are you Ready for Hurricane Sandy?
Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief:
Closely Monitoring Hurricane Sandy
Follow us on Twitter for more tips and recommendations!
Closely Monitoring Hurricane Sandy – Ensure You Are Ready!
As many of you know, Hurricane Sandy is heading up the East Coast. We are asking you to do the following:
- Read and share this email;
- Visit http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes ;
- Like and share FEMA's Facebook page posts ;
- Follow and retweet @ReadyDotGov tweets; and
- Download and share these useful apps: FEMA – Android , Apple , Blackberry or American Red Cross “Hurricane” app – Android , Apple to receive hurricane safety tips right on your phones.
The latest tracking information is available here .
Currently, Hurricane Sandy is a Category One storm with winds at 80 miles per hour. Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are predicting the hurricane will leave the Bahamas later tonight and run parallel along the East Coast for the next 24 to 48 hours. Going into tonight and tomorrow, the Florida Keys, southeast and east-central Florida are expected to experience heavy rainfall and high winds. As such, we urge residents and businesses in southeastern Florida and in other East Coast states along the storm's projected path to monitor the progress of Hurricane Sandy .
Administrator Craig Fugate recently provided some important reminders about this storm.
"As Hurricane Sandy proceeds closer toward southeast Florida, residents should listen to local officials for updates and follow their instructions. As the storm moves northward, it serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for severe weather . Now is the time to update your family communication plans, check your supplies, and stay informed. A hurricane isn't a point on a map - it's a big storm and its impact will be felt far from the center. FEMA is in contact with states and tribal governments and stands ready to support their preparedness efforts."
High, sustained winds for more than 48 hours are a main concern in areas along Hurricane Sandy's projected path . Power outages may occur as a result of these winds, possibly leaving residents without electricity for extended periods of time as workers will need to wait for winds to die down below 35-mph to safely address downed lines and trees.
If you have not done so already, it is important to ensure you:
- Check your family's emergency supply kit – make certain you have food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you, your family and family pets for at least 72 hours.
- Follow the direction of local officials – any evacuation orders come from local officials, so follow their guidance.
- Keep up to date with local conditions – follow TV and radio reports from your area or visit www.weather.gov ( http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) for the latest forecast.
- Remember food safety – power outages and flooding may happen as a result of strong winds and heavy rains so have a plan for keeping food safe. Have a cooler on hand to keep food cold, and group food together in the freezer so it stays cold longer.
- Have an adequate communication plan - be sure friends and family know how to contact you. Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not get through.
Keep in mind, hurricanes bring heavy rains, storm surges and possible flooding events. Avoid walking or driving through any flooded areas – it takes only six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown !
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Prepare for hazards in YOUR area
Although you may not be in Sandy's path, now is a good time to review the potential hazards where you live. Knowing likely risks for your area, whether wildfires , earthquakes or tornadoes and knowing what to do when a disaster strikes is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds matter. Local emergency management offices can help you identify hazards in your community and can outline the local plans and recommendations for each. Be sure to share this information with family, neighbors, colleagues and friends – talking about preparedness helps everyone be ready, “just in case.” Use the links below to make your family, business and community safer, more resilient and better prepared for any disaster event.
Useful links
What to do before, during and after a hurricane or severe storm
Latest Sandy forecast from the National Hurricane Center
Community preparedness tools and resources
We want to hear your suggestions on how we can improve our communications to you, be sure to email us at citizencorps@dhs.gov . |
