2007 News

June 1 , 2007

Commissioners Urge Citizen Preparedness As Hurricane Season Begins

Today marks the start of the 2007 summer hurricane season, and the Bucks County Commissioners and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director are urging Bucks Countians to take steps to protect themselves and their families.

“Ready Bucks Ready or Not? logoOur Ready Bucks campaign is specifically designed to inform residents about simple but important things they can do to be ready for weather and other events in our area,” noted Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin.  “Buying extra batteries to stay informed with news on the radio, or having items for your shelter-in-place kit if you must be in your home without power for a time, are important considerations.”

Ready Bucks is a component of an 11-county, tri-state awareness campaign launched last September.  The three keys to the campaign are, knowing what to have in your head, in your home and in your hand.

What to have in your head – Talk to your family about how to find each other if an emergency happens when you’re separated. Decide on a place where family members can meet.  Ask a friend or relative who lives out of state to be your family’s emergency contact. If local phone circuits are busy, long-distance calls may be easier to make. This way, you’ll know everyone is safe.     Visit http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf to create your family’s plan today.

What to have in your home – Be ready to shelter in place.  Put together a kit, and include enough supplies to stay in your home for at least three days. Suggested items include:

  • Three gallons of drinking water per person
  • Food that will not perish easily, or ready-to-eat foods (don’t forget your infant or pet’s special needs)
  • Manual can opener
  • Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
  • Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach and an eyedropper (Disinfect water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials)
  • Personal care items, prescriptions
  • Phone that does not need electricity

What do have in your hand – Be ready to evacuate.  If officials tell you to evacuate, they are doing so in the interest of your safety.  Let friends and relatives know where you are going.  Bring a map so that if your normal route is flooded, you can find an alternate.  A “go bag,” an easy-to-carry, preassembled bag, will allow you to leave as soon as possible.  Some items to include are:

  • Copies of important documents such as insurance information, photo Ids, birth certificates, and deeds, sealed in a waterproof bag.
  • Extra set of house and car keys
  • Credit and ATM cards, and cash in small bills
  • Bottled water and foods such as energy or granola bars
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Medication, including a list of how often they are to be taken, and by whom
  • First-aid kit
  • Personal care items
  • Child care and pet supplies
  • Sturdy shoes

“All these lists should be tailored to your family’s specific needs.  The point is to think about them BEFORE a flood or other emergency hits,” noted John Dougherty, Emergency Management Agency director.  “Adults should share their family plan information with children, and ensure all adult members know how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.” 

Dougherty also implored drivers not to drive into low-lying areas or over roads and bridges that are already under water, noting that as little as 12 inches of moving water can strand an average car.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) recommends documenting inspections and debris removal with date-stamped digital photos and maintenance logs to illustrate prior conditions and to demonstrate regular maintenance of municipal infrastructure. Preparation now can reduce potential damages later.

PEMA further encourages Pennsylvanians to buy flood insurance policies for homes, businesses and municipal property that can be insured. Purchasing flood insurance is one of the most important things people can do to help themselves recover from flood damage. Early preparation is important because flood insurance policies generally require 30 days before taking effect. Unlike wind damage, damage caused by rising water is not covered by homeowner's or business insurance policies. Flood insurance coverage must be purchased separately. Most insurance companies and licensed insurance agents handle flood insurance policies.

Additional flood safety information and a wealth of other emergency preparedness tips can be found on the county Web site at Ready Bucks