If you live in one of the Mid Columbia's smaller communities, or on the edge of town, or in a remote locale, there is always the possibility you will someday have to evacuate like so many other Washingtonians this week. Are you prepared?

Being prepared is always a good idea since the nuclear plant on the Columbia River could call for an evacuation. We also learned recently the West Side is due for an earthquake that would certainly impact us in unexpected ways.

Here are some great tips:

  • Whenever an emergency is possible, try to always keep your vehicle at least half full so you can drive a long distance without refuelling on a moment's notice.
  • Keep important identification documents all one one, easy-to-grab place so if you have to run you will have passports, gift certificates, insurance information, deeds and more all together.
  • Always have blank checks on you when an emergency is possible.
  • In your car keep extra medications. They expire, so rotate them out frequently, but try to have a week's worth.
  • Keep irreplaceable personal treasures in a fire-proof lock box. After a flood or fire there's a good chance your important items will be safe -- even if it's under a pile of rubble.
  • Pack a 72-hour kit with clean water, clean clothes, basic toiletries, and snacks. Include flashlights, a battery-powered radio and batteries. Put it in the trunk or in a closet easy to grab. If called to evacuate this bag should take care of you for a few days at least.
  • Begin building up a supply of bottled water. Some emergencies do not require you to leave your home, but may leave you without clean water coming from the taps.
  • Build up a supply of food that could last you at least a month. Rotate the items to keep them from expiring, but have a stockpile that could feed your family in case roads were closed.
  • Think of what you'd need if electricity was out for a week or more. Do you have a stove that runs off gas? Do you have a good supply of candles and matches? Do you have enough batteries for radios and flashlights? Do you have firewood you could use in a fireplace?
  • Have a rendezvous point for family if communication breaks down. If someone is at work, and another person is at school, and you can't stay at the house, where is somewhere everyone could get to to find each other, or find messages left for each other?

If you live somewhere with a high chance of being evacuated someday, be aware of these things:

  • Know how to disconnect the automatic garage door opener so it can be opened manually.
  • Disconnect propane tanks.
  • Turn off water heaters.
  • Close or shutter vents.
  • Leave one light on in the main room of your home.
  • Move overstuffed furniture away from windows.
  • If you have a ladder, lean it on your roof to aid firefighters.
  • Leave information on the door about where you have gone and how to reach you.
  • Release livestock.
  • Take down curtains.
  • Turn off appliances.
  • Turn off natural gas at the meter.
  • Turn on exterior lights

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