Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Disaster Risk Assessment - Your First Step in Your Emergency Preparedness Plans

The first step in preparing for a natural disaster is to make a disaster risk assessment. Being aware and informed about the type of disaster, both natural and man made, that is most likely to occur where you live will increase your survival.

The West and West Coast regions of the country are the most likely to have earthquakes. If you live in "Tornado Alley" which consists of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota and Northern Texas, you are more prone to experience tornados and high winds than earthquakes.

The Southeast coast and the Gulf coast are the most susceptible to hurricanes. Florida is the most vulnerable state for hurricanes because it has two coastlines.

Even though high water can occur almost anywhere, low lying areas near the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are inclined to have frequent flooding. Also, flooding and mud side disasters can occur in all mountain areas because of heavy rainfall or early snow melt.

You can be forewarned of some natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, flooding and fire, by being alerted via TV broadcasts, emergency radio, or the Internet. Perhaps in your community, you will receive a phone call or hear a special siren. Emergency workers have been known to go door-to-door in isolated areas to notify citizens of pending dangers.

Other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and some fires are hard to predict.

Regions that are vulnerable to these types of crisis generally have emergency disaster centers that are equipped with disaster risk management information. All you need to do is ask.

Bottom Line: By making a disaster risk assessment and getting information from your local Emergency Disaster Center, you will reduce your survival risks substantially. Protect yourself and your family by becoming educated about your community vulnerability disaster risks.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Griffiths

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