Disaster Defense

Natural disasters can happen anywhere to anyone - I know from experience. I've lived through two Ohio tornadoes and dodged hurricanes when I lived in Key West, Florida. I barely missed being in the middle of the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado that killed 140 people, and during the 1997 floods that destroyed Falmouth, Kentucky, I had to travel to work by canoe.

If there's one thing these experiences taught me, it's that being prepared can greatly soften the blow most disasters inflict, and simple actions afterwards can put you on the road to recovery. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Disaster Defense!

Prepare paperwork

Well-organized paperwork is the key to quickly identifying yourself to rescue authorities (such as the American Red Cross) and to seeking aid in repairing or rebuilding your home. Keep copies of birth, marriage and death certificates, Social Security cards, wills and credit card and bank statements in an easily accessible waterproof container that you can quickly grab when disaster looms. Store the original documents in a bank safety deposit box to protect them from fire or theft.

While preparing this paperwork, review your insurance. Most homeowners have not properly evaluated their coverage, says Carolyn Gorman, vice-president of the Insurance Information Institute in Washington, D.C. Don't assume insurance will protect you in the event of a natural disaster. Most policies won't cover flood or hurricane damage - you'll need to purchase separate policies, such as those offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program.

To aid insurance claims, include a complete home inventory in your paperwork. Whether it's a written list or a videotape, include big-ticket items such as appliances, jewelry, furniture, electronics and computers as well as housewares and even clothes. Count each garment and list brands and prices whenever possible. Though such detail may seem extreme, it's amazing how quickly clothing-replacement costs add up. Remember that in the event of a catastrophic loss, you'll need to replace literally everything for every family member.

Develop a disaster plan

The National Weather Service, FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend that all families develop a disaster plan by taking these measures:
• Gather information about hazards. Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office to find out what type of disasters could occur in your area and how you should respond. You can research historical data on disasters in your region at the Project Impact Web site sponsored by FEMA and the Environmental Systems Research Institute. Also learn about your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.
• Discuss disaster scenarios with your family. Pick two places to meet in the event of a disaster: a spot outside your home for an emergency such as a fire and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if family members get separated.
• Educate and prepare. Post emergency telephone numbers by each phone. Inspect your house for potential hazards (such as items that can fall, break or catch fire). Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid, as well as how to use a fire extinguisher and how and when to turn off your home's utilities. Teach children how and when to call 911, and keep enough emergency supplies for at least three days.
• Practice. Conduct drills to make sure family members remember meeting places, phone numbers and safety rules. Replace stored food and water every six months.

Prepare your property

You can minimize disaster damage by taking a few basic steps around the house. Start with the windows, as they're the weakest part of your home and need as much protection as possible. For areas prone to hurricanes, permanent operable shutters are best, though custom-fitted sheets of 1/2-in.-thick marine plywood will provide temporary protection (photo, right), provided you have time to install them before the storm. Other types of plywood can also be used, but marine-grade will last the longest in harsh environments. Mark which board fits each window and drill screw holes every 18 in. for faster installation.

Next, remove objects that can become airborne missiles, including patio furniture or, if you live in an area with palm trees, coconuts. An in-ground pool is a great place to toss patio furniture to keep it from blowing around - a regular practice in the Florida Keys. The furniture will sink to the bottom and stay put, even in the most severe winds.No matter where you live, check your home and yard for fire hazards.Store all combustible materials (such as gasoline) in approved containers away from the house. If possible, install outbuilding electrical feed lines underground. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed so they don't touch overhead wires.

To minimize the threat from wildfires, create a safety zone that separates your home from plants and vegetation. Landscape elements such as stone walls or garden ponds make great barriers. Check local building codes about weed-abatement ordinances for structures built near wooded areas.

For protection against landslides, plant ground cover on slopes and construct retaining walls. In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings. Be careful not to divert any overflow onto your neighbors' property or you may be liable for damages.

When building or renovating, use fire-resistant materials such as tile, brick, concrete block or rock. Avoid using wooden shakes or shingles. Use only thick, tempered safety glass in large windows and sliding glass doors. Build a platform to elevate your air conditioner above potential flood levels. And add storm hardware such as hurricane straps wherever possible to reinforce your roof against high winds.
 Invest in survival products

If you don't have time to assemble your own disaster-survival kit, a variety of prepackaged products can help turn a miserable situation into one that's merely uncomfortable.

Every house needs a first aid kit. Though you can create your own, it's easier and quicker to buy a complete kit (photo, above) from a home center, sporting goods retailer or drug store. It should include a waterproof box and be large enough to serve your household. For an even greater level of protection, invest in a survival kit such as those offered by Conney Safety Products or Emergency Essentials (see photos).

Finally, consider installing a backup generator system for your home to make power outages less disruptive.

Deal with the aftermath
If you must evacuate your home, don't return until local authorities have deemed it safe. Then prepare for the worst. Dress in protective clothing such as coveralls or long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wear work boots (never sneakers!) and heavy work gloves. When using power tools to clear debris, always wear eye and hearing protection.

Check for gas leaks and electrical damage. If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call your gas utility company from a neighbor's home. (When you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.) If you see sparks or smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main service panel. To avoid electrocution, never step in water to access the panel - call an electrician.

If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets and call a plumber. If exterior water pipes are damaged, contact your city's water department. Avoid using tap water - you can melt ice cubes if available to make safe drinking water.

When you re-enter your home after a flood, pay attention to how your door performs. If it sticks at the bottom only, it's usually OK to force it open. But if the door sticks at the top, it could be a sign that the ceiling is ready to collapse.

Once inside, check the ceiling for signs of sagging, as it may be holding water. To release pressure, make a poker by attaching a nail to the end of a long stick. Then stand away from the sag and poke only at the edges. Never poke in the middle of the sag, as the ceiling may suddenly collapse.

If your basement has standing water, don't be tempted to immediately pump it out. Groundwater outside the basement pushes hard against the foundation, and without the support provided by the floodwater inside, the walls could crack and collapse. Instead, pump out just 2 or 3 ft. of water and mark the level. If the water rises over the mark on the following day, it's too early to pump the basement dry. Wait overnight, pump out another 2 or 3 ft. of water and recheck the day after that. When the water level stops rising, pump out another 2 or 3 ft. and repeat the process until the basement is dry.

Be especially mindful of any cuts or scrapes you may suffer and treat them with antibacterial ointment. Floodwater is extremely dirty and is a breeding ground for germs that can cause a hoard of illnesses. Bacteria will be everywhere - even in the air - so make every effort to stay as clean as you can. (I speak from experience here, as I was ill with a severe bacterial lung infection for two months after the 1997 floods.)

In the aftermath of a landslide, stay away from the affected area, as additional slides are possible. Once the ground stabilizes, replant vegetation as soon as possible to prevent erosion and protect against flash floods. Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert to evaluate landslide hazards and design corrective techniques to reduce future landslide risk.