Local residents urged to be prepared for

any disaster threat

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, Gov. Steve Beshear proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Kentucky.

Partnering with Kentucky Emergency Management, Clinton County Emergency Management urges Kentuckians to “Be Aware–Be Prepared–Have a Plan.”

“Kentuckians face threats to their safety and property throughout the year, from tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds, lightning, winter storms, man-made hazards, to family emergencies,” said Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong. “Every household and every business should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time.”

A disaster can occur anytime, anywhere in Kentucky. In fact, Kentucky has received four federal disaster declarations in 2015, placing the Commonwealth among the leaders in federally declared disasters in the region.

“We urge all Kentuckians to be prepared for any emergency or disaster,” said Lonnie Scott, Clinton County Emergency Management Director. “Supplies such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, radios and first aid kits are easy to store and can be lifesavers when a crisis hits. A communication plan with family, friends, and neighbors is also important. Emergency situations can happen any time, any place, so it is important to be prepared.”

“Although state and local governments are ready to assist the public during emergencies and disasters, preparedness starts at home,” said Michael E. Dossett, director of Kentucky Emergency Management.

Scott said educating and preparing citizens is important, which is why Gov. Beshear, Kentucky Emergency Management and Clinton County Emergency Management are joining together to offer preparedness tips:

Planning for a Disaster

Be Aware:

* Stay informed about risks in your communities and monitor weather radios.

* Own and monitor a battery backed-up NOAA Weather Alert Radio. During threatening weather, stay tuned to your local broadcast stations.

* Discuss conditions with family members, and know their locations during dangerous weather.

Be Prepared:

* Discuss known risks with family members and neighbors.

* Develop and review your emergency plan periodically for necessary updates.

* Refresh your emergency kit(s) periodically. A kit should have enough food, water and medications for five days.

* Drill: practice your plan with household members.

Have a plan:

* Utilities–Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water, if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)

* Shelter–Identify safe locations within your residence.

* Contacts–Written contact information for relatives, neighbors, utility companies, employers/employees and local emergency contact telephone numbers.

* Evacuate–Predetermine evacuation routes. Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places, such as a friend or relative’s home in another town, a motel or shelter.

* Children– Make back-up plans for children in case you (or they) can’t get home in an emergency.

* Vehicles–Keep jumper cables in vehicles at all times. Maintain at least a half tank of fuel in vehicles. Move vehicles away from under trees during possible wind events. Keep an emergency kit in all vehicles. During winter months, keep a blanket and bag of kitty litter in the trunk.

* Medications–prepare a list of all prescription drugs.

* Share your plan with others, including friends or relatives in another region or even another state.

Make a kit:

* First aid kit and essential medications (to include prescription medicines.)

* Canned food and can opener.

* At least three gallons of water per person.

* Protective clothing, rain wear and bedding or sleeping bags.

* Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

* Waterproof matches and candles.

* Local phone book.

* Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

* Extra set of car keys.

For additional preparedness information, visit www.ready.gov and Kentucky Emergency Management at http://kyem.ky.gov/Preparrredness/Pages/default.aspx, where you can also find a copy of the Governor’s proclamation and follow KYEM on social media.