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ARE YOU READY?. A Guide to Disaster Planning for Clients & Staff. Purpose. It is the policy of the State of South Carolina is to be prepared for any emergency or disaster. South Carolina State Regulations 58-1 and 58-101 require contingency plans and implementing procedures.
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ARE YOU READY? A Guide to Disaster Planning for Clients & Staff
Purpose It is the policy of the State of South Carolina is to be prepared for any emergency or disaster. South Carolina State Regulations 58-1 and 58-101 require contingency plans and implementing procedures. Persons with special needs or functional needs need to take extra care in preparing for an emergency. From making sure you have adequate medication, medical supplies and equipment to knowing what special resources you may require to make it safely through a disaster. This guide was developed to help clients and staff alike prepare for natural disasters and unexpected emergencies.
Disasters are… Events that causes great harm or damage or an incident that causes widespread destruction and distress. They can strike quickly and without warning and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.
Categories of Disasters Disasters can be categorized into three groups: • Natural • Accidental • Intentional
Disasters Can Be Natural, Examples Include: • Earthquakes • Volcanoes • Tsunamis • Ice Storms • Disease • Epidemics Hurricanes Tornadoes Floods Droughts Extreme Heat Fires Blizzards
Hurricane Hugo Hugo crossed into South Carolina coast near the Isle of Palms in September of 1989. The surface winds were recorded at 138 miles per hour and gusts of more than 160 miles per hour. The damage to coastal and inland properties, utilities, agriculture, timber and commerce exceeded $6 billion. 50-70,000 people were left homeless and 26 people were killed (SCDNR).
Types of Disasters - Natural Hurricane Hugo Charleston, SC 1989
Disasters Can Be Accidental, Examples Include: • Explosions • Toxic spills • Transportation Accidents • Structural Failure • Building Collapse • Disease • Oil Spills • Global Warming • Floods • Droughts • Fires
Types of Disasters – Accidental Train Derailment Graniteville, SC 2005
Intentional Disasters include: • Hijackings • Riots • Demonstrations • Stampedes • Bombings • Shootings • Kidnappings • Assassinations • Bombings • Cyber Attacks • Threats of Terrorism • Wars
Plan All too often in emergency situations the needs of people with disabilities are overlooked or swept aside. People with functional needs need to take extra care in preparing for an emergency. The services you rely on daily may not be available in the event of an emergency.
Plan Disaster and emergencies often disrupt routines. They can change when and where you eat, sleep, play, work, study, go to school, how you get around, when you see your family and friends. 14
Plan The stress caused by having to think about what you might do in an emergency much less actually having to cope with a disaster is a common experience. Disaster planning can be overwhelming for anyone but it doesn’t have to be.
Prepare • Know the hazards and emergencies that may affect you and your family. • Develop an emergency plan. • Collect and assemble disaster supplies kit. • Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards.
Prepare • Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes. • Include in your plan required information from community and school plans. • Learn what to do for specific hazards. • Practice and maintain your plan.
Prepare Know the difference between Watchesand Warnings: In a Watch conditions are right for something to happen. For example, during thunderstorms tornados may form, streams and rivers may flood. In a Warningthe event has happened. The tornado has been sighted or the streams and rivers are flooding.
Are You Ready? • You can cope more successfully with an emergency or a disaster by preparing in advance. • You are in the best position to plan for your own safety. • Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
Common & Not So Common SC Weather Events: What You Should Do…
Thunderstorms Thunderstorms are very common, especially during the summer. Severe storms usually have heavy rain, strong winds and, lightning. Some storms produce hail and create conditions that can cause tornadoes to form.
In Thunderstorms, you should... • Get out of the water if you are swimming or boating. • Hurry to a low open place, and crouch down so your body is like a little ball if you can’t find shelter, or your hair feels like it is standing on end. • Stay way from downed high voltage lines down and call the • utility company. Always seek shelter during severe weather!
Tornadoes Tornados are among nature’s most dangerous storms. They can strike with little warning & cause serious destruction in seconds. The average number of tornadoes per year in SC is 28 ( SC DNR).
In Tornadoes, you should… Take shelter immediately if you see or hear a tornado. If You Are Outside… Lie flat on the ground in a low area covering your head with your arms and hands if you are outside, in a car, or in a mobile home with no shelter nearby. If You Are Inside… Go to the basement or storm cellar if you have one. If you don’t, then move to the center of the lowest floor. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Hurricanes are giant, spiraling tropical storms and the most destructive natural weather occurrences on earth. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.
In Hurricanes & Tropical Storms, you should… The hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking mid-August to late October. Tune in the radio or television for weather updates. Follow the instructions given on: • Personal Safety & Evacuation • Securing your home & car • Safeguarding pets & livestock • Stocking emergency supplies
Floods Any source of water, river, lake, pond or stream has the potential to overflow, and flood the surrounding area. All areas of the South Carolina are prone to flooding.
In A Flood, you should… Never travel in flooded areas. Never swim in or let children play in standing flood water. Watch out for snakes, and other hazards that have moved to higher ground.
Winter Storms In SC snow is rare and it can be great fun but winter storms can cause severe problems. They often have strong winds, sleet, freezing rain, heavy snowfall and bitter cold as components.
In a Winter Storm, you should… • Stay inside if possible. • If you go outside dress in several layers of warm clothing. If you start to get too cold, or your nose, hands, feet or ears start to feel numb, go inside and warm up for a few minutes. • Stay away from frozen ponds – the ice usually won’t hold. • Stay from any high voltage lines that may have fallen during the storm.
Earthquakes On August 31, 1886, the Great Charleston Earthquake struck in Summerville and Charleston. It was the largest, most destructive, and most lethal earthquake ever to strike east of the Mississippi. Over one hundred twenty-four people were killed and hundreds more severely injured. To this day, it dominates the seismic history of the entire East Coast. This earthquake struck without warning and caused far more deaths, injuries, and property damage than Hurricane Hugo, a Category IV hurricane (1989). SC is home to one of the most active earthquake-producing regions in North America, a twenty-five by fifteen-mile oval known as the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone, whose center lies about twenty-two miles northwest of Charleston.
SC State Museum Exhibit “People running from the Quake." (SC State Museum Exhibit) The 1886 Charleston Earthquake "Broad St., south side, looking east." (South Caroliniana Library Archives)
Earthquakes On January 1, 1913, an earthquake registering 5.5 on the Richter Scale in occurred in Union SC. The earthquake affected an area of 43,000 square miles. Although no deaths were reported, it caused chimneys to fall, machinery to move, windows to break and goods to fall from shelves. Pickens County was the apparent center of an October 20, 1924, earthquake which shook most of South Carolina and western North Carolina, northeastern Georgia, and eastern Tennessee. The area affected was approximately 90 miles. Moderately strong shocks occurred near Charleston on November 19, 1952, August 3, 1959, March 12, 1960, July 23, 1960, and October 23, 1967.
Earthquakes An earthquake is the shockwave that occurs when plates beneath the Earth’s crust shift. This movement causes the ground to become unstable and shake. South Carolina is on a earthquake fault line and we have several quakes each year. They are usually small ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 in magnitude. Since 2006, SC has more than 35 measurable earthquakes.
In an Earthquake, you should… Identify danger areas and stay away from things that break or fall on you like glass or heavy furniture. Move to a safe place where you can get under a table, desk, or against an interior wall.
When Should You Evacuate? • If a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for your area then you should leave. • If you live in a mobile home you should always evacuate if the emergency is weather related. Hurricanes are not the only reason we evacuate. Evacuation orders were issued for the train derailment in Graniteville, fires in Myrtle Beach, toxic spills flood warnings, and factory fires among others.
Evacuation Kits • What items do you want in your evacuation kit? • Are they the same as the items you think you need to pack? • How long should you plan for?
Evacuation Kits • It is a good idea to have a “go bag”. That is a bag that ready to grab if you have to go to a shelter. You can use a backpack, duffle bag or laundry bag. • Your name should be clearly written on it. • Your supplies should last for a minimum of three days. • You shouldn’t “over pack” your kit – take only what you need and what you carry easily. • Remember, there isn’t a lot or room or privacy in shelters.
What to Pack? The Red Cross recommends that for each person you pack: • 2 blankets and a pillow a, lawn chairs or cot • Prescription medication and necessary over-the-counter medications(s) • 3 Gallons of water • Special dietary needs, favorite non-perishable snacks • Flashlights & batteries • Important papers - home owners insurance, medical information etc.
Packing continued • Personal hygiene items such as soap, towel, toothbrush, etc. • Books, small toys & games - try for quiet things! • Baby Supplies - diapers, bottles, formula, etc. • A Patient & Cooperative Attitude!!
Sheltering You don’t always have to go to a shelter. If you can, stay with friends or relatives or have them stay with you whichever is the safest location. Go to a hotel/motel. You should always have more than one option, more than one plan. Needs during disaster differ, choose the best plan for that situation. Staying in a shelter should be your last choice.
Sheltering in Place - Supplies Because not everyone has to, can, or will evacuate in the event of an emergency. If you stay home here are the basics you should consider stocking: • Food & Water • First Aid & Special Items for Medical Conditions • Clothing & Bedding • Tools & Emergency Supplies
Shelters If the safest place to stay is a shelter then go. It will help if you are prepared – most shelters are runs by the Red Cross. They do not allow you to bring in weapons, drugs, alcohol, pets or smoking inside the building. Shelters are not spacious, private, or quite, and there isn’t always electricity and a bed for everyone. Don’t expect hot showers or meals, they are not always available. There will be lines to use the bathroom and other stressful situations In general medical services are not available and it will be up to you to keep you and yours safe.
Shelter Realities Luxuries don’t exist during an emergency.
Expect Shelter Rules In most shelters you will be expected to: Register when you arrive and sign in and out when entering or leaving. Keep your area clean and help keep the shelter clean. Keep food and beverages in designated areas. Respect quiet hours, watch your children. Be careful with your valuables as they are your responsibility. Smoke in designated areas only.
Katrina Survivors at a Red Cross Shelter Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas
