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NATURAL DISASTER PLANNING FOR FAMILIES
Learn the Risks
and Make a Plan
to Protect Yourself
More on Disaster Events
The best way to protect yourself and your family from the destruction caused by a natural disaster is to plan ahead. Find out more about natural disaster planning and create a plan in advance to help protect yourself and your property-before, during and after an emergency.
EARTHQUAKES
Earthquake Safety Tips to Follow
Emergency Kit and Disaster Plan are Important
Earthquakes are not a frequent occurrence. However, they can be very disruptive because they occur suddenly and tend to affect large areas. Earthquakes can be a one-time event of a few seconds shaking or a series of events of varying duration.
Because earthquakes happen without warning, being prepared in advance is critical to minimize damages and loss. Consider these earthquake safety tips:
Before an Earthquake
- Know your risk. Research the area and find out if you live near an active fault line and whether or not the ground around you is more susceptible to the effects of an earthquake.
- Retrofit and reinforce your house. If you're in a high risk area, take steps to reinforce your house. Bolt your house to the foundation and reinforce support beams as needed. Secure any furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets to the walls to minimize risk of falling over during a quake. Secure cabinet doors to help keep dishes and other contents from falling out.
- Create a disaster plan to protect yourself and your family. Earthquake preparedness can help reduce anxiety and minimize injury. Know where to take cover in your house and how to communicate with other family members after the earthquake if you're not together. Designate a safe place to meet outside of the house after the shaking stops.
- Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, camping supplies (stove, battery-powered lantern, etc.), extra batteries, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure they also have adequate supplies. Plan for a week's worth of supplies for each person. You'll need at least four gallons of drinking water per person for a week.
During an Earthquake
- Stay away from windows and furniture that could potentially fall over. One of the biggest hazards during an earthquake is falling debris and furniture. Avoid areas in your house where you might be exposed to these hazards.
- Take cover in a safe place in your house. Get under a sturdy table or desk to avoid being hit by anything. If you can't take safe cover, protect your head and neck with your arms.
- Do not try and go outside until after the shaking stops. If you are already indoors, you are safer taking cover inside than attempting to leave your house during an earthquake you could be hit by falling debris as you're trying to get out.
After an Earthquake
- Be prepared for aftershocks. Earthquakes are often followed by aftershocks additional quakes that follow the main event. These can last for days or even weeks after a major earthquake.
- Check your gas lines and make sure there are no leaks. If you smell gas leaking, turn off the gas if possible and call the gas company. Do not use an open flame in your house until you are sure it is safe. Wait for the gas company to turn the gas back on.
- Check for damaged electrical wiring. Shut off the power if you see damaged wiring in your house.
- Keep your shoes on. You may have broken glass or spilled chemicals on the floor of your house as a result of the earthquake. Don't walk around barefoot until you're sure the floor is clean and safe.
- Document the damage. If your insurance policy covers earthquake damage, make sure you take photos or video of the damage to use in the claim process.
An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated. This earthquake glossary outlines other terms.
Aftershock
Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the main shock and can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the main shock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.
Epicenter
The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface vertically above the hypocenter (or focus), point in the crust where a seismic rupture begins.
Fault
A fault is a fracture along which the blocks of crust on either side have moved relative to one another parallel to the fracture.
Hypocenter
The hypocenter, or focus, is the point within the earth where an earthquake rupture starts. The epicenter is the point directly above it at the surface of the earth.
Magnitude
The magnitude is a number that characterizes the relative size of an earthquake. Magnitude is based on measurement of the maximum motion recorded by a seismograph. Several scales have been defined, but the most commonly used are (1) local magnitude (ML), commonly referred to as "Richter magnitude," (2) surface-wave magnitude (Ms), (3) body-wave magnitude (Mb), and (4) moment magnitude (Mw). Scales 1-3 have limited range and applicability and do not satisfactorily measure the size of the largest earthquakes. The moment magnitude (Mw) scale, based on the concept of seismic moment, is uniformly applicable to all sizes of earthquakes but is more difficult to compute than the other types. All magnitude scales should yield approximately the same value for any given earthquake.
Tectonic Plates
The tectonic plates are the large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another on the outer surface of the earth.
Tsunami
A tsunami is a sea wave that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands.
FLOODS
How to Prepare for a Flood
Consider Buying Separate Flood Insurance
Everyone is at risk of flooding. Many people think if they are not near a body of water they are not at risk of flooding; but floods happen everywhere. And floods can also occur from sources like snowmelt and new development. Some flooding situations develop slowly while others appear with little warning.
These flood safety tips can help you avoid problems related to flooding in your home.
- Avoid building in high-risk flood plain areas to minimize your exposure.
- Elevate your furnace, water heater and other utilities so that they are less likely to be affected in a flood.
- Consider installing “check valves” to prevent water from backing up into your house during a flood.
- Seal your basement walls with waterproof material to help protect your home.
- Pay attention to local news and information sources when the weather is a potential issue.
- If flooding has occurred in your area, follow some basic safety advice:
- Be extremely careful when walking through water that’s flowing. You can use a stick to check the ground as you walk.
- Don’t drive your car in a flooded area. You’re at risk of being swept away. Get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
- Be aware that the flood water may have been contaminated by sewage, gasoline or chemicals.
Flood Insurance Facts
Flood-related losses are not usually covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. So, it’s important to consider buying flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes federally backed flood insurance available to both consumers and businesses.
Flood coverage is available to all homeowners and businesses as long as your community participates in the NFIP; that includes residents in high risk zones. As a participating company in the program, The Hartford has been offering flood insurance coverage to customers for more than two decades.
Since costs for flood insurance are set by the federal government, all companies use the same rates to determine the cost for protection. Policyholders have the added security of knowing that this insurance is backed by the federal government.
HURRICANES
Hurricane Safety Tips
Advice to Help Protect Your Family and Your Property
A hurricane is a severe, tropical storm that has rotating winds of at least 73 mph—usually accompanied by rain, thunder and lightning. Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic Ocean and happen on the East Coast—most often between June and October.
Preparing in advance for a hurricane can help minimize injuries and loss of life, as well as property damage and loss. There are actions you can to prepare take well in advance and things you should do as the storm is approaching.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips to Follow
Create a disaster plan to protect yourself and your family. Planning how you will take cover in your home or evacuate, if necessary, can help reduce anxiety and minimize loss of life and property.
Designate an evacuation point outside the area. Choose a safe place, such as a friend's or relative's house, far enough away from your area to minimize the chance that you'll have to evacuate again. Have a back-up option just in case you're unable to stay at your primary evacuation point.
Put together an emergency kit. Your hurricane preparedness kit should include non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, camping supplies (stove, battery-powered lantern, etc.), extra batteries, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure your pets also have adequate supplies. Plan for a week's worth of supplies for each person. You'll need at least four gallons of water per person for a week.
Research ways to protect your house. Storm shutters and other alternatives can provide protection for your house. Learn how to use them properly before hurricane season starts.
Document your belongings. Photograph or videotape your belongings. Make a written list to accompany your photos or video. Store the documentation in a waterproof container or in a safe place outside of your house such as a relative's house or safe deposit box.
Tips to Follow as a Hurricane Approaches
Inspect drains and pipes. Make sure roof and floor drains are functional and clear of debris.
Secure doors and windows. Protect windows from flying debris, and make sure that the doors and windows will stay latched.
Move objects indoors or anchor them outside. Anything that could be moved by high winds could be potentially dangerous and should be secured or moved inside.
Prepare your car in case of evacuation. Fill your gas tank and check your tires. Put emergency supplies in your car.
Protect important documents in waterproof containers. Make copies and keep them in a safe deposit box or a friend's or relative's house outside the area.
Fill the bathtub with water to use for non-drinking purposes. In addition to drinking water, you'll need water for bathing and flushing the toilet. Line your bathtub with plastic sheeting before filling it.
TORNADOES
Tornadoes Come with Little Warning
Tornado Facts to Consider
Tornadoes are violent columns of air that appear as rotating, funnel-shaped clouds extending from the sky to the ground. Tornadoes are extremely dangerous and can have wind speeds up to 300 miles per hour, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Damage paths from tornadoes can be one mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes usually occur at the end of a severe thunderstorm and can also be caused by hurricanes. They can appear suddenly with very little warning and achieve an average ground speed of 30 miles per hour.
Tornadoes can appear anywhere in the United States, but are most common in the central part known as the Great Plains. Peak season in the South is during the months of March through May, and in the North, from the late spring to early summer.
A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
Tornado Safety Tips
- Listen to TV or radio newscasts for the most up-to-date information. Listen to instructions given by local emergency management officials.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions. Watch for approaching storms.
- Look for these danger signs: dark, often greenish sky; large hail, large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating); loud roar, similar to a freight train
- Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include first aid supplies, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure they also have adequate supplies.
- Create an emergency plan. Planning in advance how you will protect your house and how you will evacuate if necessary can help minimize injury and damages. Choose a meeting place away from your home for family members to gather in case you are not together if a tornado hits.
Build a Safe Room
If you’re in a region with a high risk for tornadoes, you can consider building a safe room or wind shelter to protect you and your family. A safe room can be constructed in your basement, in an interior space on your first floor or on concrete slab foundation or garage floor.
To protect occupants, a safe room must be built to withstand high winds and flying debris, even if the rest of the residence is severely damaged or destroyed. Consider these tornado safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency when building a safe room:
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