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MCC Daily Tribune

Disaster Preparedness Month

Disaster Preparedness Month is an annual campaign held every September since 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It aims to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters and emergencies. Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes tend to appear at very short notice at any time, necessitating the need for residents to prepare accordingly and properly to handle and evacuate from such events safely.

HOW TO OBSERVE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH

  1. Create emergency plans

    It is important to formulate emergency plans that can be put into action when disaster strikes. Such measures can include deciding on specific meeting points to evacuate to in case communication lines are compromised or having a list of emergency contacts.

  2. Prepare emergency kits

    You must ensure that the members of your household have adequate food, water, and medical supplies to weather a disaster. Identify the necessary measures and objects that are crucial to your survival and collect or list them so that when the time comes, you are well stocked.

  3. Keep up to date

    Pay attention to news updates and alerts regarding potential natural disasters or such hazards in your area. This can help you prepare thoroughly for when the event occurs and can help you evacuate and handle the situation safely

5 FACTS ABOUT THE WORST NATURAL DISASTERS IN U.S. HISTORY

  1. America’s worst natural disaster

    The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was the Galveston Hurricane in 1900, which affected 37,000 residents and claimed between 6,000 and 8,000 lives.

  2. Billions in damages

    Hurricane Katrina is the costliest U.S. natural disaster in history, causing damages totaling $182.5 billion.

  3. Record burning

    Around 10.1 million acres of land were burned during the 2020 California wildfires, which is the United States' deadliest wildfire season of the 21st century.

  4. Strongest twisters

    The U.S. states of Alabama and Oklahoma have experienced the most F5 tornadoes, the largest category of tornadoes, since 1950.

  5. A natural phenomenon

    A series of violent earthquakes shook the state of Missouri in 1812 and made the Mississippi River flow backward for a few hours.

WHY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT

  1. It reminds us to always be ready

    Disaster Preparedness Month reminds us to always be alert and ready when disaster strikes. Because disasters tend to be unpredictable, it always helps to spend a few moments of your day formulating plans and preventive measures to ensure that you'll weather the event safely.

  2. It improves our disaster preparation skills

    The month-long campaign pushes us to be thorough in our emergency planning. By working out a clear, proper plan beforehand including identifying the necessary supplies, shelters, and relief organizations, you are sharpening your ability to prepare for future disasters, which will benefit everyone in your home.

  3. The month helps us approach disasters in a calmer manner

    Having clear plans and identifying the supplies, relief organizations, and shelters needed to weather the disaster, can help reduce fear and anxiety during evacuation so that the process would not become chaotic and messy. Panic tends to exacerbate disaster outcomes, so always remember to keep yourself as collected as possible.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
09/12/2022