Throughout Tennessee and the Southeast, our emergency responders are among the best in the world. Between hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and wildfires, our paramedics and rescue teams have had plenty of experience.
That said, it takes time to evacuate residents from rooftops. Flooded roads and downed power lines cause major headaches in the aftermath of disaster. As highly trained as our emergency responders are, they can’t always make it to us immediately. To help, we have to shoulder some of the responsibility ourselves.
How You Can Prepare for the Next Natural Disaster in Tennessee
As Tennessee’s leading storm damage restoration company, ASDT has witnessed the devastation that water damage and flood damage caused.
In the first 24-48 hours after disaster strikes, staying hydrated, healthy, and medicated can make the difference between comfortable survival and serious hardship. But what can we do individually to secure ourselves and our families?
It’s as easy as putting together an emergency kit (also called a “go bag” or “hurricane kit”). Here’s how you can build one.
Assembling Your Emergency Response Preparedness Bag - An ASDT Guide
In 2022 alone, the US suffered from 18 confirmed disasters causing an estimated $175 billion in damages and nearly 500 deaths. Due to increasingly frequent flood damage and storm damage, the US Department of Homeland Security has made several recommendations about emergency preparedness bags.
Consider storing the following items in a waterproof bag and storing the bag in a high place or a closet on the 2nd story of your home.
Water
Clean drinking water is easily an essential item in the best of times, but it’s especially necessary after disasters. Flood damage makes drinking water difficult to come by and could contaminate reliable sources with sewage.
It’s a good idea to store enough water so that each member of your household or office has a gallon per day—both for drinking and for other uses.
Food
Depending on the type of food in your refrigerator and how old that food is, you may have up to 4 hours to safely consume it once the power goes out. To supplement your food supplies in the days ahead, you’ll need non-perishable food items stashed away to get by.
Consider adding the following to your go bag:
- Dried fruit
- Peanut butter
- Energy bars
- Crackers
- Other shelf-stable, packaged foods
First Aid Materials
Navigating the wreckage of a disaster can lead to plenty of scrapes, cuts, and bruises. As emergency responders make their way to you, something as simple as a bandage or length of gauze can make all the difference between infections and a dressed wound. First aid kits are widely available and affordable.
Cash
Credit cards aren’t much good when the power’s out. Thankfully, people and businesses in your community may offer supplies in return for cash. Cash can help you purchase whatever you may need (hotel rooms, gasoline, etc.) in the days or weeks it takes to get back to life as you know it.
Prescription Medications
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses don’t take a break during natural disasters. For those of us with life-threatening ailments that require daily medication, missing even just one pill, injection, or spray can be fatal.
Speak to your doctor about a backup supply for natural disaster scenarios.
Batteries, Other Power Sources, & an Emergency Radio
Communication and information are important in the best of times, but they can be life-saving after a natural disaster. Thankfully, you can find plenty of crank- or battery-powered emergency radios capable of charging multiple mobile devices.
Extra batteries and other power sources can keep you up-to-date and connected throughout the recovery period.
Matches
While natural disasters are somewhat more common in hotter months, temperatures at night or in wet clothes can quickly plummet. You may need a fire to warm yourself or see by. You might also want to cook any canned goods you stored ahead of time for a bit of extra comfort.
Strike-anywhere matches in a waterproof container are always a good idea.
Hygiene Products
Brushing your teeth and bathing may sound like silly ideas when your whole neighborhood is flooded, but hygiene is especially important in natural disasters. Brushing your teeth and keeping your hands clean (at a minimum) can safeguard you against bacteria and provide some much-needed normalcy.
Consider packing:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Hand sanitizer
There are a few other hygiene products that can keep you safe, comfortable, and healthy if you have the space in your go bag.
Sleeping Bag & Thermal Blanket
Warmth isn’t just important to our health—it keeps us calm and collected on cold nights and in unimaginable circumstances. It’s always a good idea to pack an emergency blanket, sleeping bag, or thermal blanket for each member of your household or office.
Flashlights
When rescue opportunities come, you can’t afford to miss them. But navigating treacherous, unfamiliar surroundings after dark can leave you both lost and injured. A tested, reliable, and durable emergency flashlight can get you where you need to go and keep everyone safe after nightfall.
Other Items
If you still have room left in your emergency kit, you might consider a few additional items that can help in the days ahead. Obviously, for parents of young children and pet owners, a few essentials may be necessary.
Consider packing these additional items, but not at the expense of food, water, or the other items listed above.
- A whistle
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Pet and service animal supplies
- Baby supplies
- Extra eyeglasses
- Disposable dinnerware (plates, cups utensils, towels)
Is Your Home or Business Prepared for the Next Big Storm?
At ASDT, we’re committed to working with residents, businesses, and first responders throughout the Southeast. Our water damage restoration services help business owners and homeowners dry out after the storm passes, but we go further than that.
If you’re packing a go bag in advance of the next big storm, you might also consider an Emergency Response Preparedness Plan (ERPP).
Our technicians use iGUIDE 3D imaging technology to map your property room by room, forming a complete pre-planning portfolio. By using a 360° panoramic view of your building and creating a highly accurate floor plan and blueprint, we can anticipate the materials, equipment, and personnel needed to get you back to normal ASAP.
To learn more about our ERPPs, call us today at 615-632-6630 or contact us online. When your life, your family’s well-being, and your business are on the line, there’s no such thing as “too prepared.”
