[OldNorth] Some rules for keeping safe and sane

[sheryl lynn gerety]

Print these out if you feel they will help in the future:  remember you 
likely won't need them unless you can't boot up your computer.

For those of you who read this message, please be sure to keep your 
email address current with us.  We are trying to build a neighborhood 
network of people who are ready and know more or less what to do.  It's 
OK if the most you do is take care of your own household, and it's 
great if you have any resources left over to share with neighbors.

I would like to receive any observations you made to  yourself and 
others:  when you knew and understood a big storm was on the way, while 
the power was out, when you had been without power for several hours.  
City and power  company performances aside, did you feel you were in 
danger and what were the sources?

Sheryl

FLOODS
http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html
Reduce Potential Flood Damage By . . .
	• 	Raising your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are 
in areas of your home that may be flooded.
	• 	Consult with a professional for further information if this and 
other damage reduction measures can be taken.

Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop
	• 	A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
	• 	A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur 
soon in your area.
 
When a Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .
	• 	Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
	• 	Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

When a Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .
	• 	Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. 
If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

When a Flash Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .
	• 	Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a 
moment's notice.

When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .
	• 	Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You 
may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
	• 	Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm 
drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your 
safety.
	• 	If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately 
and climb to higher ground.
 
BLACKOUTS
http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_92_,00.html
Top Safety Tips for a Blackout
	• 	Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
	• 	Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went 
out.
	• 	Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
	• 	Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
	• 	If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power 
directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to 
a home's electrical system.
	• 	Listen to local radio and television for updated information
 
What Do I Do During A Blackout?
  Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment (like air 
conditioners) or electronics you were using when the power went out. 
When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or 
"spikes" that can damage equipment such as computers and motors in 
appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or furnace.
 
Leave one light turned on so you'll know when your power returns.
 
Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your 
food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated 
or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage. See the Red Cross 
brochure called, "Help The Power Is Out" for more information.
 
Use the phone for emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can 
provide the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information -- 
only call to report a life-threatening emergency.
 
Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will 
stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and 
elevators may not work during a power outage.
 
Remember to provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
 
If it is cold outside, put on layers of warm clothing. Never burn 
charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a 
source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to 
go to another location (relative, friend, or public facility) that has 
heat to keep warm.
 
MUDSLIDES
http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_254_,00.html#plan
How to Protect Your Property
·         If your property is in a landslide-prone area, contract with 
a private consulting company specializing in earth movement for 
opinions and advice on landslide problems and on corrective measures 
you can take. Such companies would likely be those specializing in 
geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, or civil engineering. 
Local officials could possibly advise you as to the best kind of 
professional to contact in your area. Taking steps without consulting a 
professional could make your situation worse.
·         Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. 
Flexible fittings will be less likely to break.
 
What to Do Before Intense Storms
·         Become familiar with the land around you. Learn whether 
landslides and debris flows have occurred in your area by contacting 
local officials, state geological surveys or departments of natural 
resources, and university departments of geology. Knowing the land can 
help you assess your risk for danger.
·         Watch the patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes near 
your home, and especially the places where runoff water converges, 
increasing flow over soil-covered slopes. Watch the hillsides around 
your home for any signs of land movement, such as small landslides or 
debris flows, or progressively tilting trees. Watching small changes 
could alert you to the potential of a greater landslide threat.
 
What to Do During Intense Storms
·         Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when 
people are sleeping. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or portable, 
battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. 
Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly 
dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp 
weather.
·         If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris 
flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving 
during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move 
to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide 
or debris flow saves lives.
·         Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving 
debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle 
of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. 
Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.
·         If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden 
increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy 
water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be 
prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your 
belongings.
·         Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides 
are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for 
collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of 
possible debris flows.
 
What to Do if You Suspect Imminent Landslide Danger
·         Contact your local fire, police, or public works department. 
Local officials are the best persons able to assess potential danger.
·         Inform affected neighbors. Your neighbors may not be aware of 
potential hazards. Advising them of a potential threat may help save 
lives. Help neighbors who may need assistance to evacuate.
·         Evacuate. Getting out of the path of a landslide or debris 
flow is your best protection.
 
What to Do During a Landslide
·         Quickly move out of the path of the landslide or debris flow. 
Moving away from the path of the flow to a stable area will reduce your 
risk.
·         If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball and protect 
your head. A tight ball will provide the best protection for your body.
 
What to Do After a Landslide
·         Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of 
additional slides.
·         Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without 
entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
·         Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, 
elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people 
with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care 
for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in 
emergency situations.
·         Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest 
emergency information.
·         Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or 
debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows 
because they may both be started by the same event.
·         Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate 
authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned 
off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
·         Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land 
for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may 
help you assess the safety of the area.
·         Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion 
caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.
·         Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert for evaluating 
landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce 
landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you of the best 
ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further 
hazard.
 
-- 
Diana Cox
Director of Emergency Services & Volunteer Development
American Red Cross of Yolo & Lake Counties
120 Court Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 662-4669 phone
(530) 662-5114 fax


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