Preparing for Disaster

Recent weather conditions in and around Hunt County remind us that a disaster can strike at any time. Whether flooding, severe weather, or other types of disaster, Texas AgriLife Extension provides objective, research-based information, to help people with emergency and disaster preparation and recovery.

Preparedness and disaster materials are available through two agency-related websites. The Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, or Texas EDEN, http://texashelp.tamu.edu, has information and materials on specific disasters, including drought, hurricanes and wildfire, as well as information on disaster preparation and recovery.

The AgriLife Bookstore website at http://agrilifebookstore.org has a variety of emergency and disaster-related materials, including publications on general preparedness, first aid and home, property and financial recovery. Most Extension publications can be downloaded and printed for free, and several are  available in Spanish. “Preparing for the Unexpected” is a noteworthy publication for disaster preparedness that may be downloaded for free.

When considering disaster preparedness, families should have a plan. This plan would include an evacuation plan familiar to all family members and practiced before disaster strikes. Another good practice is to have an emergency kit for their home, office and each vehicle, and know where to go in case of an emergency. An evacuation plan should cover escape routes, utility shutoff and safety information, family communication and protecting important documents.

Emergency kits should contain enough supplies to take care of the immediate family for at least three days. Some essential kit contents include water, non-perishable foods, a hand-operated can opener, mouth/nose protection masks, extra clothing, a first-aid kit, gloves, blankets, toiletries, a battery- or hand-powered flashlight, a weather radio, spare batteries, garbage bags, medications and anti-bacterial cleaners or wipes.


For more information on available publications, go to the AgriLife Bookstore or Texas EDEN website. Additional information on preparedness may be found at FEMA’s http://ready.gov website or its Spanish-language counterpart, http://listo.gov.