Are You Emergency-Ready?

Posted: September 30, 2024, 8:41AM

As we end National Preparedness Month, we wanted to offer a few reminders about being ready for a weather emergency. And - despite the heat of summer, we need to be mindful of the cold, snow, and ice of winter that will be here all too soon.

We have seen unprecedented damage due to the most recent onslaught of Hurricane Helene. This Category 4 storm, has left roads washed away, homes destroyed, and most sadly, over 100 people have lost their lives.

Our area of northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania has experienced a variety of weather emergencies. We have seen severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, river flooding, and wind damage. Have you or your family been caught in a weather emergency? Were you emergency-ready?

Here are a few things to consider to get emergency-ready:

What is your risk? What disasters might affect your area?

What are your needs? Medications? Water?

What's your plan? Make a plan based on your specific situation.

Find the Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults and other information at ready.gov

Photo from a friend of a tornado in the Claysville PA area