September is Disaster Preparedness Month. And while we can’t be prepared for everything that might happen to and around us, we can have some basic plans made to help us navigate disaster. Disaster, by its very nature, is self-defined. Some are large and impact many people; some are smaller and affect fewer people. Each of us reacts to disaster in different ways. Taking a few minutes to GET PREPARED will help you to keep safe in a disaster.
HAVE A PLAN - Talk to your family and workplace and plan what to do if a disaster impacts you. Things to think about are:
- Where to take shelter,
- How you will find one another after the emergency is over,
- What you need to have prepared.
BE PREPARED - Set up a “Safe Space” in your home with some basic supplies. Have copies of essential papers in your safe space or stored away from your home in a safe distance. Keep a “Go Bag” ready with some essential items you will need if you leave your house quickly—a list of medications, a battery charger for your phone, clothing, and snacks.
KEEP WEATHER AWARE - Have a basic knowledge of what the weather is doing. Keep connected to a news source. Many have mobile apps that will notify you if severe weather is forecasted.
DON’T PANIC - Making some basic plans will help you act in an emergency instead of reacting and panicking. There are many resources for you to access. The Iowa Disaster Response Committee has a “
Be Prepared” document with suggestions for how to get prepared. Check out the
Iowa Homeland Security, the
Red Cross, and
FEMA preparedness tips.
Pastor Catie Newman
IAUMC Disaster Response Coordinator
Disaster.response@iaumc.org
712-899-4067 call or text
