September Preparedness Month

 

Disasters don’t make appointments. They don’t call or send you a text to see if tomorrow you and your family will be ready for an emergency. Disasters don’t plan ahead, but you can.

September is National Preparedness Month and as Americans everywhere are encouraged to prepare for disasters and emergencies, our thoughts are pulled to all of the people impacted by Hurricane Harvey on the Gulf Coast. The residents, first responders, and volunteers answering the call to help respond to and recover from this disaster. 

While we won’t see a hurricane here in Winnebago County, we are impacted by extreme weather, high winds, and destructive flooding. In order to best support our community during disasters and emergencies it is important for all of us to be as prepared as possible. Below are three things we can all do today to improve our readiness: 

  • Stay Informed Register your cell phone and/or email address to get emergency alerts through a new program being implemented by Winnebago County Emergency Management and Sheriff's Office. 
  • Make a Plan Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with your family. Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to build a prepared community.
  • Build a Kit Keep enough emergency supplies – water, nonperishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and battery-powered radio on hand – for you and those in your care.

This September, National Preparedness Month, is a great opportunity to take steps towards disaster preparedness. Stay informed, make a plan, and build a kit to be more prepared. Disasters don’t plan ahead, but you can.