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Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.
However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.
Risk: Ground shaking during earthquakes can cause partial building collapse, shattered glass, falling objects, and shifting debris.
Response: Secure heavy items in your house and build an emergency kit to prepare; Drop, Cover, and Hold On during an earthquake.
Learn more:
Risk: A series of ocean waves can cause a surge of high waters that can carry people away, damage homes, and shift debris near the coast.
Response: Build a go-kit and identify tsunami hazards zones and evacuation routes to prepare; get to high ground during a tsunami warning or if an earthquake lasts longer than 20 seconds.
Learn more: http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/
Risk: Heavy ashfall can reduce sunlight, cause electrical failure, clog water systems, hamper driving, and aggravate respiratory problems.
Response: Have extra oil filters, airfilters and build an emergency kit with masks, keep duct tape and plastic on hand to prepare; wear a mask and seal windows during ashfall.
Risk: Sea Storms can bring hurricane force winds that damage homes and cause power outages; they also cause the sea level to rise, flooding communities on the coast.
Response: Build an emergency kit with an indoor-safe heater and board up windows to prepare; stay inside during the storm, avoid driving, watch for flooding.
Risk: Fast moving flood waters can damage homes, roads, vehicles, and can sweep people away with just 6 inches of depth.
Response: Identify evacuation routes, build a go-kit, and buy flood insurance to prepare; avoid fast moving flood waters and get to high ground during a flood.
Learn more: http://www.ready.gov/floods
Risk: Wildfires can trap people, damage homes, and even the smoke can impair vision and breathing.
Response: Clear all brush within 30 ft. of your house, prune trees near your house, and build a go-kit to prepare; evacuate if possible, or stay in the center of your home if trapped by a wildfire.
Learn more: http://ready.alaska.gov/wildfires
Risk: Falling/shifting debris can cause damage to you or your vehicle, cause tsunamis on the coast, and damage roads or structures.
Response: Learn to identify avalanche/landslide terrain, stay clear of areas at risk, and carry an emergency kit in your vehicle to prepare; avoid avalanches/landslides in progress or if you are caught, attempt to stay on top of the moving snow/mud/debris.
Learn more: http://landslides.usgs.gov/
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least seven days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.
A Family Emergency Plan can help a family reunite after a major disaster. Normal transportation and communication options may be damaged making it difficult to speak to or find loved ones. Knowing where loved one will go and who they will contact can provide piece of mind to the individual and help responders by accounting for individuals that are safe.
Once you have developed a kit and a plan, the key to prevailing over disasters is to stay current with disaster activity. Knowing if a disaster is on its way, if an emergency is in progress, or how frequently certain disasters occur in your area can make an incredible difference in your level of readiness.
There are many tools available for you to maintain a high level of awareness with regard to disasters in Alaska.
DOT&PF Road Conditions and Travel Information.
Red Cross Apps for Shelters, First Aid, Earthquakes, and Wildfires.
The Pacific Disaster Center provides live disaster information.
