Deadly tornadoes and Homeland Security Alerts remind us that every family needs to develop a family emergency plan for dealing with both natural and man-made disaster situations. Your family emergency plan should include:
Two places to meet: right outside your home for emergency such a fire, and outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
An out-of-state friend to be your “Family Contact”. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance.
A plan for pets. Pets are not permitted in emergency shelters.
Emergency supply kits for home, work and vehicles. Store essentials in a backpack or duffle for easy carry. Include: water, food, clothing, blanket or sleeping bag per person, first aid kit, prescription medicines, flashlight and extra batteries, extra set of keys, cash/credit card, special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members, emergency tools, and a portable radio.
An “All-Hazard” NOAA Weather Radio.
The National Weather Service broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts and crucial hazard information 24 hours a day on NOAA weather radio. The goal of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a Weather Radio (NWR) in every home, just like a smoke detector, and in all schools, hospitals and other public gathering places. NWR gives people the kind of information they need before, during and after a disaster.
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is the all-hazards public warning system for emergencies including:
natural ( ex. tornado, floods, earthquakes)
technological accidents (ex. Chemical release, nuclear power plant emergencies)
AMBER alerts
terrorist
attacks
What
makes NOAA Weather Radio so special?
When a threat is determined, routine weather programming will be interrupted and a special tone transmitted that automatically activates your weather radio to provide emergency warnings and information in the danger areas. Hearing and visually impaired can receive warnings by connecting weather radios to other kinds of attention-getting devices such as strobe lights, bed-shakers, personal computers and text printers.
A
new digital technology called Specific Area Message Encoding or “SAME” lets
you to target specific counties or areas to receive only broadcasts for your
area. Warning from other areas can be blocked if desired.
Where
can I purchase a NOAA Weather Radio?
Check with local retail stores that sell consumer electronics or home entertainment equipment. Prices vary, but many portable weather warning radio receivers, including those with “SAME” technology, can be purchases for less than the cost of a new pair of shoes, $25 to $100. depending on features and number of receivers.
What
kind is best?
The radio should be capable of receiving all 7 frequencies used by NOAA broadcasts.
Radio receivers are battery-operated portables or AC powered desktop models with a battery backup.
Some CB radios, scanners and AM/FM radios are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio transmissions.
For more information on NOAA radio visit: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr. Contact the American Red Cross for a free copy of “Your Family Disaster Plan”, or visit: http://www.redcross.org/ For emergency preparedness information contact your UO/E office or visit: http://extension.missouri.edu.