Be prepared in the event of a disaster. Here are some tips and links that can help you prepare for potential disasters.
Disaster Preparedness Kits
According to FEMA’s ready.gov website, here are the basics in a preparedness kit:
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- 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 personal sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Manual can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF)
In all cases, having an emergency plan is key. Here are the steps from ready.gov for creating your emergency plan.
Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan? A list of shelters in Alamance County are listed below.
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
- Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus.
- Get cloth face coverings (for everyone over 2 years old), disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.
- When making your plan, do not forget your pets. Plan for their welfare and care as well.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:
- Different ages of members within your household
- Responsibilities for assisting others
- Locations frequented
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
- Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Households with school-aged children
Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan
Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to create your own.
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household
For additional resources on how to prepare for emergencies, check out these organizations.
Alamance County Emergency Management
- Shelters – In Alamance County, the Alamance County Emergency Management team will announce the opening of shelters during a disaster. Sign up to receive their alerts here. Shelters are opened according to the area of need and the availability of the shelter. Not all shelters are used during an emergency. Please do not arrive at a shelter unless it has been announced as being open. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that you shelter in place unless it is a life threatening situation.
- Potential shelter locations in Alamance County are: Burlington YMCA; Baptist Temple (Burlington); Clover Garden School (Pet-Friendly); Fairchild Community Center; First Church of Nazarene (Burlington); Grove Park Baptist Church (Burlington); Mayco Bigelow Center (Burlington); St. Marks Church (Burlington); Powerline Church (Elon), Graham Rec Center (Graham); Swepsonville Baptist Church; Lambs Chapel (Haw River); and Mebane Arts Center (Mebane).