Emergency Preparedness

WINTER STORM SAFETY   |   BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS   |  HOW TO HELP CONSTITUENTS

A severe winter storm is expected this weekend in states stretching from Arkansas to Massachusetts according to the National Weather Service.  The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are projected to receive heavy snowfall accompanied by high winds, creating dangerous driving conditions and potential power outages.

Please remember to monitor local radio and television stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of local officials. The following page offers additional preparedness tips and recovery resources.

WINTER WEATHER

While the danger from winter weather varies across the United States, nearly every part of the country can be affected by some type of severe winter weather. Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours, to a multi-day blizzard with wind-driven snow and whiteout conditions. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, ice, sleet and freezing rain.

One of the primary concerns is the winter weather's ability to knock out heat, power and telecom services to an area, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall, ice, and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region, disrupting transportation networks and sometimes taking days to dig out from.

Most deaths attributable to winter storms are caused by cold, icy conditions, leading to hypothermia from prolonged exposure or traffic accidents on icy roads.  Travel during severe winter weather is advised only for emergencies.  The safest place is be during these storms is at home, out of the elements. 

• Turn on the TV or radio to receive the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Stay off the roads during a severe weather conditions.
• Be prepared to be snowed in. Make sure you have enough food and water to last for a few days, and that any prescriptions you may need are filled.
• Be sure to have an emergency kit ready, with bottled water, flashlights, and a first aid kit.
• Make sure you have snow shovels and ice melt to treat the areas outside your home.
• DO NOT use generators, propane heaters, or outdoor stoves indoors. There will not be enough ventilation to remove the combustion byproducts, which will cause a potentially fatal buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Wear layered clothing and use blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm.  Keep outdoor activities to a minimum during severe cold.
• Make sure your thermostat is set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent water from freezing in the pipes. If pipes are vulnerable, wrap them in rags or newsprint for insulation.

     If you are on the road:

• Drive slowly and keep clear of snow plows. Make sure to leave plenty of space in front of your vehicle to slow down or stop.
• Be aware of your vehicle’s capabilities in the snow. Some vehicles, such as lighter cars, rear-wheel-drive models, or vehicles without snow tires, will perform worse than others in winter weather.
• Prepare for your vehicle to be stuck. Wear layers to keep warm, make sure you have a full tank of gas, and keep your cell phone charged. Keep items such as a snow shovel, ice melt, and road flares or reflective markers in your trunk.

• Check your insurance coverage protection against winter hazards.  
• Create a clear communication plan for your employees.  
• Develop a procedure for restoring electrical and communication services on an item-by-item basis.
• Plan for possible heating and electrical outages, and how to relocate and salvage inventory in the event of either.
• Keep driveways, sidewalks, and doorways free of ice and snow during and after the storm.
• Consider turning on water faucets, letting them drip in order to keep water flowing through pipes vulnerable to freezing.
• Have the names and phone numbers of your heating contractor, plumber, fire department, insurance agent, and building owner accessible.

Listen to Local and State Officials

The most critical response to disasters occurs at the local level. First responders at the local or state level will always be first on the scene and the first to stabilize an emergency situation.  The role of the federal government is to encourage disaster preparation at the state and local level and assist states and communities when a disaster outstrips the local ability to respond and recover.  State and local officials will have the most up to date information about conditions on the ground and the location of food, water, and shelter. Get to know the state, county, and municipal emergency managers in your district and build a relationship before disaster occurs.   

Get Information to Your Constituents

Outreach from a Member’s communications office can be a useful way of pushing information on disaster preparation and recovery, through press releases, web pages, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Let your constituents know how to prepare their families and their homes if flooding is predicted, advise them on how to respond to ongoing flooding, and inform them where they can find food, shelter, medical assistance, and apply for aid after the immediate danger has passed.

Feel free to use the tips for flood preparation and flood safety found earlier on this page. 

Inform your constituents of the National Weather Service’s “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” campaign, intended to alert the public of the dangers of quickly moving flood waters.  Half of all flood-caused drownings result from a vehicle being washed away or submerged while attempting to drive through a flooded area, and the next highest percentage of flood drownings is from trying to cross flooded areas on foot.

Encourage your constituents to be prepared by purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP. As flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance, it is vital for homeowners to be aware of the NFIP and to use local flood maps to determine the risk to their property. The NFIP partners with private insurance companies across the nation to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. Rates are set nationally and do not vary from company to company, but are determined by factors such as location, age or type of construction of a property, and mitigation efforts. ) More information about flood insurance is available at Floodsmart.gov or by calling 1-800-427-2419. 

You can also find additional resources for outreach at the homepage for National Preparedness Month (http://www.ready.gov/september), and by getting involved every September in promoting disaster preparedness.

Federal Disaster Declarations

The process of declaring a federal disaster, making a state eligible for assistance from FEMA, was codified by the Stafford Act in 1988.  The law requires that all presidential disaster declarations must be in response to a request from the governor of the affected state or territory, provided that the governor determines disaster response and recovery are beyond the resources of state and local governments.

Based on the governor's request and FEMA’s analysis, the president may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists, thus activating an array of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort. Not all programs, however, are activated for every disaster. The determination of which programs are activated is based on the needs found during initial damage assessment and any subsequent information that may be discovered.

If your state has received a disaster declaration, please send residents and business owners in declared counties who sustained losses to begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.