Know what to do when an evacuation order comes
BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 3, 2007 – Virginia Cooperative Extension urges residents never to disregard an evacuation order called because of a hurricane, flood, or other emergency.
“Save your life. Do not wait until the last minute to leave, hoping to save your house, car, or other possessions,” said Bobby Grisso, Extension engineer.
During an evacuation, take eyeglasses, medications and prescription medicines, a small supply of canned food, flashlights, and several blankets. Take your keys and lock the house and any remaining cars.
Emergency supplies to have on hand before an emergency include:
- Portable radio with spare batteries
- First-aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, special medicines, blankets, and a first aid book
- Candles and flashlights with spare batteries
- Food which requires little or no cooking and no refrigeration
- Bottled water (2 gallons per person)
“More drinking water than the recommended two gallons would be useful for washing or cooking,” Grisso said. “Store water in plastic bottles or jugs, not metal containers that can corrode.”
Storage containers must be sterilized. According to Grisso, water must be purified unless it comes from a treated public supply. To purify water, boil it vigorously for 10 minutes. Alternately, you may add four water-purifying tablets per gallon, 12 drops of tincture of iodine per gallon, or eight drops of common liquid chlorine laundry bleach (only active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite). Mix treated water thoroughly and allow it to stand for at least 30 minutes before using. Containers must be sealed. Improperly sealed containers can become a breeding place for many disease-causing organisms.
Also, fill large containers such as pots, pans, sinks, and bathtubs with water. After doing this, shut off the main water valve to protect the clean water already in your water system. Do not overlook emergency sources of water in your house such as ice cubes, soft drinks, and fruit juices, Grisso said. Water in the hot-water heater, water pipes, toilet flush tanks (not the bowls), and water pipes is all right to use if you have closed the valve on the main line entering the house. Also, close lines leaving the house.
“Turn off the electric power at the main circuit breaker,” Grisso said. “This will reduce the hazard of shock when returning to a flood-damaged building. Also, turn off the gas at the main valve. Know how to relight any pilot lights before turning gas service back on to avoid the danger of explosion or fire.”
Move livestock to higher ground. Secure all outdoor items to keep them from being washed away and becoming a hazard downstream. Move household belongings to upper levels, and move cars and machinery to high ground, Grisso said.
On the way to higher ground watch for washed-out roads and bridges, undermined roadways, landslides, fallen rocks, downed power lines, and floating hazards.
After it is safe to return home…
When re-entering buildings for the first time, be sure all electric and gas services are turned off. Shut off the main switch and all circuits. If you must enter at night, carry a battery-operated flashlight. Don’t use a flame as a light source. Do not smoke.
Foods in a freezer without power may stay frozen from one to three days, depending on these conditions:
- The door must remain closed
- The freezer must be mostly full
- The temperature outside must be moderate
- The freezer must be large and well insulated
Dry ice can be placed in a freezer on boards or heavy paper on top of packages to keep temperatures below freezing. Allow 2.5 to three pounds of dry ice per cubic foot of space. More will be needed in an upright freezer because dry ice should be placed on each shelf. Dry ice can cause burns; don’t handle it with your bare hands.
Try to keep your family’s diet as nourishing as possible under the circumstances. When cooking is not possible, many canned foods can be eaten cold.
Don’t overlook the feelings of children as you deal with the situation. They need to feel that they can count on you for the extra attention, love, and support need to get through the disaster. Reassure them, making sure they understand they are not responsible for the problems you face. Ready.gov has resources to prepare children for disaster situations.
Wear protective clothing on legs, arms, feet, and hands while cleaning up debris. Wear rubber gloves while scrubbing flood-damaged interiors and furniture.
Contact: Bobby Grisso
Virginia Cooperative Extension engineer
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6538
rgrisso@vt.edu
Contact: Michael Sutphin
Writer
Communications and Marketing
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6975
msutphin@vt.edu