Chapter 26Disaster Preparedness

Natural Disasters

• Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornados claim many lives each year.

• You need to be informed to protect yourself and others.

Earthquake• A sudden, rapid shaking of the earth

caused by breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface.

• Can cause:• Buildings and bridges to collapse• Disrupt gas, electric, and phone service• Trigger landslides, avalanches, flash

floods, fires, and tsunamis

What to Do During an Earthquake

• If indoors, take cover.• If outdoors, find a clear spot away from

buildings, trees, etc.• If in a vehicle, pull over and stay there

with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.

• If you are trapped in debris, do not panic.• Learn to turn off your gas supply.

Flood

• With the exception of fire, floods are the most common natural disaster.

• Pay attention to flash flood warnings.

• Be especially aware of storms in the hills above you.

What to Do During a Flood

• Be aware of the likelihood of flooding.• Listen to the radio or television stations for

information.• If local authorities issue a flood watch,

prepare to evacuate. • Do not walk through moving water.• Do not drive into flooded areas.• If flood water rises around your car and you

cannot drive out, abandon your car and move to higher ground.

Heat Wave

• In extreme heat and high humidity, cooling of the body by evaporation is slowed.

• Difficult for the body to maintain normal body temperature

• People living in urban areas may be at greater risk.

What to Do During a Heat Wave

• Stay in the coolest location.• Drink plenty of water regularly.• Never leave children or pets in vehicles.• Dress in loose-fitting clothes.• Protect your face and head when outdoors.• Avoid too much sunshine.• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of

the day.• Spend at least 2 hours in an air-conditioned place.• Check on family, friends, and neighbors.

Hurricane

• A tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of at least 74 miles per hour

• Can bring torrential rains, high winds, and flooding

What to Do During a Hurricane• Listen to the radio or television stations for

local information.• Secure your home.• If you are not evacuating, prepare for the

worst.• If you are evacuating, prepare backpacks to

take your disaster supplies to the shelter.• Fuel your vehicle and review evacuation

routes.

Landslides

• Occur in almost every US state when masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope

• May be small or large and can move at slow or high speeds

• Usually associated with periods of heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt

What to Do During a Landslide

• Stay alert.• Consider evacuating an area

susceptible to landslides.• Listen for unusual sounds.• Be alert when driving.• If you remain at home, move to

the second level if possible.

Tornado

• A violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud

• Spawned by a thunderstorm or sometimes a hurricane

• Every state is at some risk

What to Do During a Tornado

• Go immediately to a basement or inner hallway without windows.

• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture.• If outdoors, try to get indoors or lie in a ditch.• Go to a shelter area.• If you are in a vehicle, get out and take

shelter in a nearby building.

Tsunami

• A series of waves generated by an undersea disturbance• From the area of disturbance, the

waves travel outward in all directions• Drowning is the most common cause of

death due to a tsunami.

What to Do During a Tsunami

• Listen to the radio or television for local information.

• Stay away from the area until authorities say it is safe to return.

• Do not go to the shoreline to watch for a tsunami.

Volcano Eruption

• A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a reservoir of molten rock below the earth’s surface.

• When the pressure from gases and molten rock become strong enough to cause an explosion, eruptions occur.

• Most injuries and deaths are due to ash, falling rocks, landslides, and floods.

What to Do During a Volcano Eruption

• Follow evacuation orders.• If indoors, close all windows and doors.• If outdoors, seek shelter indoors and avoid

low-lying areas.• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.• Use goggles to protect your eyes.• Use a dust mask.• Stay out of the area around the erupting

volcano.

Wildfire

• Forest, brush, and grass fires can occur at any time of the year.

• Occur mostly during long, dry hot spells

• Majority of these fires are caused by human carelessness or ignorance

What to Do During a Wildfire

• Listen to local radio or television for the latest emergency information.

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

• Choose a route away from the fire hazard.

Winter Storm

• Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.

• Even areas that usually experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (1 of 3)

• If indoors:

• Listen to local radio or television.

• Conserve fuel.

• Eat and drink regularly.

• Never use heat sources designed for outside use in a closed space.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (2 of 3)

• If outdoors:

• Dress warmly in layers.

• Avoid overexertion.

• Be aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

• Keep dry by changing wet clothing.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (3 of 3)

• If trapped in a vehicle:

• Pull off of the highway.

• Stay inside the vehicle.

• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm.

• Exercise.

• Take turns sleeping.

Technological Hazards

• Hazardous materials incidents

• Chemicals are found everywhere.

• They can become hazardous during their production, storage, transportation, and disposal.

What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident

• Call 9-1-1.• Stay away from the incident site.• If caught outside, stay upstream,

uphill, upwind.• If asked to evacuate, do so

immediately.• If requested to stay indoors,

follow all instructions.

Nuclear Power Plants

• Nuclear power plants operate in most states.

• Nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant.

What to Do During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

• Stay tuned to local radio and television for information.

• Evacuate if you are advised to do so.• If told not to evacuate, stay inside.• Do not use the phone unless absolutely

necessary.• If you suspect exposure, take a shower.• Seek medical treatment for any symptoms.

National Security Emergencies• Terrorism

• Use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws for the purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom.

• Chemical and biologic agents

• Have toxic effects

What to Do During a Chemical or Biologic Attack

• Listen to the local radio or television for instructions from authorities.

• If instructed to remain inside:• Turn off all ventilation.• Seek shelter in an internal room.• Do not use major appliances.

• Remain in protected areas.• If outdoors, try and get upwind and inside.

Nuclear and Radiologic Weapons

• Nuclear explosions can cause deadly effects such as blinding light, intense heat, initial nuclear radiation, blast fires, and secondary fires.

• A dirty bomb is considered far more likely to be used by terrorists.

• Combination of conventional explosives and radioactive material

What to Do During a Nuclear or Radiologic Attack

• Avoid looking at the flash or fireball.• If you hear an attack warning:

• Take cover quickly.• If caught outside, take cover• Protect yourself from radioactive

fallout by taking shelter.• Keep a battery-powered radio with

you.

Summary

• Every American will likely be an unfortunate victim or witness to at least one disaster during his or her lifetime.

• When a disaster strikes, you must be ready to act.