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Storm and Disaster Preparedness
WHAT TO DO BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES:
The City of New Braunfels is dedicated to protecting and preparing its citizens in times of emergency and disaster., including:
- Wildfires
- Floods
- Tornadoes
- Earthquakes
- Ice or Snow events
But there are things residents can do to make sure they are prepared for emergencies and disasters.
Here are some resources that can help you be prepared:
First Steps
Be Prepared
Learn what protective measures to take before, during, and after an emergency. Some basic protective actions are similar across many different hazards:
• Physical safety is a concern for all hazards and may involve sheltering or evacuating.
• Develop a family communications plan
• Make an emergency supply kit to be prepared for any type of disaster.
• Learn about receiving emergency alerts and local emergency plans for shelter and evacuation, local emergency contacts, and local advance alerts and warnings.
• When recovering from a disaster, safety as well as mental and physical well-being must be considered.
There are various types of disasters that may affect your family, like Natural Disasters, Terrorist Hazards, Home Fires, Technological Hazards, etc. It's important to plan ahead for the differences between these potential emergencies and how they will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take.
Make a Plan
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. Read more about Family Communication during an emergency.
Ready.gov has made it simple for you to make a family emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids (PDF) and fill out the sections before printing it or emailing it to your family and friends.
You should also inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare, school, faith organizations, sports events, etc. Read more about school and workplace plans.
Have a plan for traveling between work and home, and other commonly visited locations, in case of an emergency. Download the Commuter Emergency Plan (PDF).
Build a Kit
A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
Resources
National Weather Service - Weather Safety Tips: Look through a variety of weather-related issues and get valuable information from the National Weather Service. Includes tips on hot, cold, and winter weather, foggy or windy conditions, lightning, tornados and hurricanes, wildfires, and air quality, among others.
CDC - Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, & COVID-19 Preparedness Tips: Data prepared by the Centers for Disease Control that provides safety tips for individuals and families on how to prepare ahead of time for natural disasters, severe weather, and communicable diseases (like COVID-19). Includes information about extreme heat, floods, winter weather, wildfires, and more.
Ready.gov - Plan Ahead for Disasters: Severe weather can happen anytime, so know your risks and plan ahead with these resources from the US Department of Homeland Security. Includes information on disasters and other emergencies, how to get emergency alerts, specific resources for businesses and kids, and advice on how to make a plan or get involved.