Important Updates:
The KDADS website has a new look but the same information you rely on. This is the NEW official KDADS website.
The KDADS website has a new look but the same information you rely on. This is the NEW official KDADS website.
About Us » State of Kansas Disaster Response
Other useful tips:
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 60 deaths and more than 1,300 injuries. Tornadoes can occur anywhere, and at any time of the year.
Stay informed of weather conditions by tuning in to local radio and television stations or by listening to a NOAA weather radio for the latest tornado watches and warnings.
Remember, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which no severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect, so listen for that information as well. Remain alert!
Before the storm:
If a warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches in a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture:
Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some may not hear the warning while others may have received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually impact them. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, you must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.
The Fujita scale (F-scale) uses observed damage to determine a tornado’s wind speed.
National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information are available 24 hours a day for all types of hazards – both natural and man-made.
Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation, enabling you to take action. The hearing and visually impaired can also get these warnings by connecting weather radios with alarm tones to other kinds of attention-getting devices like strobe lights, pages, bed shakers, personal computers and text printers.
A NOAA radio, with both electric power and battery backup, should be standard equipment in every home. NOAA radios can be purchased at stores that sell electronics. NOAA weather radios still work even though the nation changed to digital television signals. Additional information is available at the National Weather Service.
Hail can cause significant damage to your vehicle, break windows, and damage roofs of homes and businesses. Hail can cause significant bodily injuries such as broken bones and even blindness if it is wind-blown. Hailstones the size of softballs can fall at speeds faster than 100 mph.
Thunderstorms are our most common experience of severe weather. They arrive suddenly, with little warning except the darkening sky as the thundercloud approaches. If you see tall, puffy, cumulus clouds growing and daylight rapidly dimming, observe these safety measures.
Floods are very common in all regions of Kansas, with most communities experiencing some kind of flooding after spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. However, some areas are more susceptible. Communities particularly at risk are those located in low-lying areas, near water, or downstream from a dam.
Flood waters can be extremely dangerous. The force of just six inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet. Cars (including SUVs and pick-ups) can be swept away in just two feet of moving water. Stay away from flood waters, storm drains and sewers - you can be sucked down a drainage tube. Flash flood waters move at a very high rate of speed and can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and wash out bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris. The best protection during a flood is to leave the area or your car and shelter on higher ground.
Because older adults are more likely to have chronic medical conditions that upset normal body responses to heat and are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, many older adults are not able to adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness anyone can face. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature and is marked by the following symptoms:
Warning signs for heat stroke may include:
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion may include:
Recovery:
If you have older or disabled, at-risk relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat stroke and heat exhaustion by:
If you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person. Do the following:
Winter storms can affect different parts of the country in many different ways. Here in Kansas, we are all too familiar with the snow and extreme cold that winter weather can bring. The best advice is that if you do not need to be out in the weather, then stay home and be warm. Below is some information on how you can stay safe when 'Old Man Winter' comes calling.
There are thousands of substances defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as “chemicals” that represent a physical or health hazard. Approximately 360 of these substances are classified as “extremely hazardous.” Extremely hazardous substances can be in liquid, gas, or solid form. Exposure to these chemicals can cause serious illness or death.
State and local governments have established safety guidelines for your protection in the event of a hazardous materials accident. Emergency officials will provide timely, accurate information and instructions.
Cover your nose and mouth with a large, wet bath towel or cloth. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom, close the door, and turn on the shower in a strong spray to “wash” the air. Seal any openings to the outside of the bathroom as best you can. Don’t worry about running out of air to breathe. That is highly unlikely in standard homes and buildings.
Flood, fire, national disaster or the loss of power from high winds, snow or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food. Knowing what to do before and after an emergency can help you reduce your risk of illness and minimize the amount of food that may be lost due to spoilage.
Power outages can occur at any time of the year and it may take from a few hours to several days for electricity to be restored to residential areas. Without electricity or a cold source, food stored in refrigerators and freezers can become unsafe. Bacteria in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140 °F, and if these foods are consumed, people can become very sick.
Do:
Don’t:
Note: Thawed food usually can be eaten if it is still “refrigerator cold.” It can be re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. To be safe, remember, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
For more information about food safety during an emergency, visit FoodSafety.gov.
After a major disaster, the usual services we take for granted - such as running water, electricity, and telephones - may be unavailable. Experts recommend that you should prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Store your household disaster kit in an easily accessible location. Put contents in a large, watertight container (e.g., a large plastic garbage can with a tightly fitting lid and wheels) that you can move easily.
A disaster kit for your workplace should be in one container, such as a duffel bag or backpack, and be ready to grab and go in case of evacuation. Make sure your have food and water in this kit. Also, include comfortable shoes in case the evacuation includes walking long distances.
A disaster kit for your vehicle should have many of the same items as above, but include flares, jumper cables, tire changing / fixing equipment, and seasonal supplies such as extra blankets or hats and gloves.
Maintenance of your disaster kit is just as important as putting it together. Here are some tips to help keep your supplies ready and in good condition:
A disaster kit is useful in many situations, from flooding to tornados and earthquakes. They are especially critical if supply lines of essentials such as food have been disrupted in your area, and in some cases having a kit may save your life. While some items included will differ from one person or family to the next, the basics such as food and water are vital and should be the bare essentials included in any disaster kit. By properly maintaining your disaster kit, you can be prepared to care for yourself and your loved ones, no matter when a natural disaster strikes.
Since your family cannot be together 24 hours a day, you need to consider how you would find each other in a disaster. Have a plan ready before the emergency occurs, outlining for yourself, your friends and your family where you will stay in case a disaster strikes.
Escape Routes: Determine primary and alternate routes to take to get out of your house.
Where to Meet: Establish a place to meet family members in the event an emergency happens and you are separated. Include in your plans both a location near your home (e.g., a neighbor’s house or yard) and one that is outside the immediate area (e.g., the parking lot of a specific grocery store).
Family Communications: Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations. Create a contact card for each family member. Think about having an out-of-town or out-of-state contact that would not be involved in your emergency if it is widespread.
Family Contacts: Plan who will be notified that you are safe and can communicate your location to other family members. FEMA and the American Red Cross have created websites to help displaced individuals find family and friends after a disaster:
National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System or American Red Cross Contact Loved Ones
Disasters often make it difficult to stay in touch with loved ones. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Services website is a central location for people in disaster areas in the United States to register their current status, and for their loved ones to access that information. It helps provide displaced families with relief and comfort during a stressful time and is is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is accessible in both English and Spanish.
There is one important rule to remember regarding pets and disasters. If you are told to evacuate, please do so, and take your pets with you. It is not safe to leave pets behind. Animals left behind can be injured, lost or killed, and pets left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food and water or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence for them. Most importantly, make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag with your phone number and/or contact information. Keep all animals on a leash or in a carrier. They are nervous, too, and may react differently.
Plan ahead – contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions, size and species. Ask if “no pet” policies are waived during emergencies. Keep your list of pet friendly places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information. You can ask friends and relatives or others outside the affected disaster area whether they could shelter your animals. Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter the animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
Shelters – Service animals for the blind, hearing impaired, handicapped or others with special needs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Check with your county emergency management office for more information. Other pets may not be allowed to stay with you, but must be placed in other locations separate from people.
After a disaster and relocation, pets will need time to readjust. Leash them when you go outside as the scents and landmarks may be different. Your pet may become confused and lost. Wild animals and downed power lines may be hazards due to the disaster. The behavior may change as well. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch them closely and if their behavior doesn’t improve, consult your veterinarian for persistent problems.
All of the above information is important for older Kansans and Kansans with disabilities. However, you may need to look at your particular situation and evaluate your own special needs. You may need special medical supplies, extra batteries for a wheelchair or other medical equipment, extra cleaning supplies for personal needs or special food. Decide what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance may be needed before, during and after a disaster. This will be based on the environment after the disaster, your capabilities and your limitations. Your plan should be based on your lowest anticipated level of functioning.
Think of Things Like:
Only you can determine what these extra needs are and only you can prepare your specialized disaster kit and plan.
You may want to consider making two kits – one for sheltering in place and another, more mobile kit, for moving to a better location. Having special medical needs may necessitate a quicker response and recover.
Below are some special considerations:
Medications and Medical Supplies – Always wear your medical alert bracelet or pendant. Be sure you have what you need on hand and don’t let your supply get low. You should always have three days to a week supply on hand. You should also keep a detailed list of all your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information. Keep a list of the make, style, and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers, pumps, monitors, and accommodation devices. You should also have a list of any allergies and your blood type. If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, talk with your provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers in your area as well as a discussion on evacuation plans. Also consider and find options if you need back-up power in case of electrical outages. Be sure to alert your power company if you have medical equipment that requires electricity.
Emergency Documents – In a waterproof container, keep a description of your medical condition, copies of insurance information, emergency contact numbers and doctors contact information. If you have life-saving devices you rely on, include instructions for them. If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information includes the best way to communicate with you. These documents can be made more portable by storing them on a thumb drive or small notebook. Be sure to store them in a waterproof bag or container.
People with hearing Loss – If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you need to develop an emergency communication plan. Identify someone out of the area that can serve as your communicator if necessary. Utilize TTY or pager/text systems or have a hearing person make the initial contact. Having a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio with text alerts and visual/tactile alerts and program it to pick up weather alerts for your county. Keep it turned on. If you use special hearing aids or other equipment, make sure you have a supply of batteries in your emergency kit.
Personal Support Network – If you need special assistance during a disaster, make a list of family, friends and neighbors that can be a part of your plan and be available to help you. Neighbors and those that live close to you may be the first to reach you in an emergency. Consider how they can help you and who they may need to contact immediately. If you use a wheelchair, oxygen, or other medical equipment, show friends and neighbors how to use these devices so they can move you if necessary or help you evacuate. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to help you. You should also have these discussions with co-workers and employers in case a disaster happens at work. Do not depend on only one person. Include a minimum of three people in your network for each location where you regularly spend a lot of time. People take vacations, call in sick or are affected by the same disaster and may not be available to help you.
Fire Safety – Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items like bookcases, handing pictures, or lights that could fall and block your routes. Secure or remove hazards that may keep you from safely leaving a building during an emergency.
Be Aware – Having a weather radio tuned for your area can help you monitor incoming storms and weather events. Listening to local radio or TV stations on a periodical basis, can alert you to possible hazards in your area. Also consider having family members and friends call you if they hear of potential disasters so that you can be more alert and monitor the situation for yourself.
You are your best advocate. Planning ahead and informing those around you of your specialized needs will be extremely beneficial in case of a disaster.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a brochure “Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs” or you can call them at 800-480-2520. The American Red Cross also has publications for emergency preparedness at www.redcross.org.
After a disaster, there a many things that you need to remember about safety. Listed below are some of the most common occurrences following a disaster.
Food Safety – throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened or damaged. Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color or texture. Throw away perishable food that have been above 40 degrees F for two hours or more. Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees or below can be refrozen or cooked. If cans have come in contact with flood waters or storm waters, remove the labels, wash the cans and dip them in a solution of one cup bleach in five gallons of water. Use a marker to re-label the cans.
While the power is out, avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors. Add block ice or dry ice if the electricity is expected to be off longer than four hours. Wear heavy gloves when handling ice.
Water Safety – Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water. If a boil water advisory is in effect, bring water to a rolling boil for one minute. You should begin timing it when the water starts to bubble. Cool the water, then place it in clean containers for use or refrigerate. If you can’t boil water, add 1/8 teaspoon of newly purchased, unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Stir the water well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You can use water-purifying tables instead of boiling water or using bleach. Laundry and showering water does not need to be treated unless specifically listed.
Carbon Monoxide Safety – During a power outage, running a generator or other devices can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that kills more than 400 Americans each year. Never use a generator, grill, gas camp stove, or other gasoline, charcoal, or propane burning devices inside your house, basement, garage or near open windows.
Electrical Safety – During storms, power outages and flooding often cause electrical hazards. Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with a downed power line. Contact the utility company immediately. If a power line falls on your vehicle while you are in it, stay in your car unless the vehicle catches fire or authorities tell you it is safe to leave. Do not touch a person who appears to have been electrocuted until you are sure they are no longer in contact with the electrical source.
Building Safety – Buildings may no longer be safe following a flood, tornado, or severe wind storm. In general return to buildings during the daytime so you can see possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards.
Mold– Rain and/or flood waters that get into buildings can create conditions that enable mold to grow; however, you can take steps to prevent mold growth. The most important step is to ensure that water is no longer entering the house by making all necessary repairs. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles when cleaning with bleach. Clean and dry all wet items within 48-72 hours, keep wet areas well ventilated and discard materials that retain water and can’t be repaired. If you see or smell mold, clean it with a solution of one cup household liquid bleach per one gallon of water. Use fans and dehumidifiers and open doors and windows to remove moisture. Scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush and the bleach solution above, rinse the item with clean water, then leave it to dry. Clean all counter tops, walls, floors and other hard surfaces with the bleach solution. Wash all clothes and linens in hot water. Steam carpets. Be sure to have all heating and cooling units checked and cleaned by a professional before operating.
Acknowledgements: Kansas Department of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Ready.gov, FEMA, American Red Cross, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The first step to registering for disaster assistance is to call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. The helpline is open from 6 am to midnight Eastern Time. As phone lines are usually very busy, calling early or late in the evening may work better during a disaster. Applicants will receive a registration number that tracks them through the recovery process. The FEMA website, www.fema.gov, also provides a wealth of information as well as a way to register.
This process can be individually handled if you are identified as having special needs according to set criteria. The next step for an applicant with special needs is to complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Confidential Information” form. FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers can then help applicants complete the form that satisfies privacy laws so that eligibility for various kinds of disaster assistance may be determined. Information provided during these first two steps automatically triggers the third and final stage of individual assistance to seniors with special needs. FEMA and the state will work with the individual to smooth out the process of getting the help needed.
Applicants will reach an automated recording. Applicants are advised to have pen and paper as well as their zip code and county, date the damage occurred, Social Security number, address of the damaged property, address, telephone number where the applicant can now be reached, estimated family income, and insurance information.
Once the information has been registered, the caller will be given information on FEMA programs and other possible assistance available, depending on the caller’s income, damages, and insurance. A copy of the application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster: Applicants Guide to the Individuals and Households Program” will be sent. The caller will receive letters explaining any assistance or why the caller was not eligible.
Based on the applicant's information, they may also be mailed a loan application from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Information provided on the load application helps determine what type of additional assistance is available, including grants or low-interest loans. Loans must be paid back; grants do not. The SBA loans are low interest and can be for up to 30 years. The SBA sets actual loan amounts and terms based on the applicant’s financial condition.
Remember, preparedness begins with you. Think of the multiple types of disasters that could happen and prepare a plan. What would you do if it was just your home, neighborhood, or the entire state involved in an emergency? How would you care for yourself and/or your family? Get informed, build a kit and get prepared.