When severe weather hits, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Director of Emergency Management and Safety David McDonald wants area residents to be prepared.
“You never know when a disaster will occur, but there are steps that you can take to be prepared,” said McDonald.
McDonald suggested individuals check out emergency preparedness websites for helpful readiness tips, such as the state of Illinois’ two sites, including Ready Illinois and Ready.gov, which is supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)
Additionally, FEMA offers an online readiness guide titled, “Are You Ready.” The guide provides important tips about building basic disaster supply kids, maintaining those kits and storing them. The kits should include the following:
- At least one gallon of water per person for at least three days to be used for drinking and sanitation
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; a battery powered or hand-crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio
- A flashlight with extra batteries, as well as a standard first-aid kit, a whistle to signal for help and a dust mask for each person to help filter contaminated air
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist packaged wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- A manual can opener for food
- Local maps and a cellular phone with chargers, an inverter or solar charger.
Other suggested items include having a ready supply of prescription medications and glasses when required, as well as infant formula and diapers, pet food and extra water, cash or traveler’s checks and change. Sleeping bags, fire extinguishers, matches in a waterproof container and personal hygiene items also are recommended.
In October 2011, SIUE was named a StormReady® University by the NOAA National Weather Service for completing a set of rigorous warning criteria. The designation is given to institutions that institute early warning systems, such as SIUE’s e-Lert text messaging system, which is open for faculty, staff, students and retirees with active SIUE email accounts.
“I really want to encourage anyone with an SIUE email account to sign up for e-Lert text messaging,” said McDonald. “Not only does it provide you with information about emergency situations and inclement weather closures, but it also gives you advance notice so you can be prepared for what might be coming our way.”
To be recognized as a StormReady® University, institutions must:
- Have an Emergency Operations Plan that includes severe weather procedures
- Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings
- Have several methods to warn students, employees and visitors of impending hazardous weather
- Have shelter areas designated and clearly marked
- Have an active preparedness program that educates students and employees of the dangers posed by hazardous weather.
The program is voluntary and provides communities with advice from a partnership of local National Weather Service forecast offices, as well as state and local emergency managers. It was started in 1999 with seven communities in Tulsa, Okla. Participating. It now includes 1,600 communities across the country.
Information about SIUE’s many emergency management and safety initiatives can be found on the emergency management and safety website.