It’s never too early to prepare for a natural hazard

It’s Emergency Preparedness Week. The week held each May aims to highlight the risks and importance of being prepared for natural hazards, disasters and emergencies. The theme this year is “Be Ready for Anything.”

There is a wide range of different natural risks, hazards and disasters, but many of our natural hazards and disasters are weather-related.

Hurricanes, blizzards and flooding are all common hazards in Atlantic Canada.

But the list of natural hazards is even greater than that – from winter weather, including blizzards and ice storms, to extreme heat and severe thunderstorms, which can produce hail, torrential rainfall and tornadoes.

Storm surges, landslides and wildfires are all potential hazards we can also experience. And while the threat is very low, the potential for a tsunami or earthquakes do exist in our region.

Would you be prepared to leave right now if you were told to evacuate because of a threatening forest fire?

Would you know what to do if a tornado warning was issued for your location?

The key to preparing for these hazards is knowing the full extent that each risk poses to your location.

You should have an emergency kit, even for situations where you could be without power and water for 72 hours. You can purchase emergency kits or make one of your own.

Emergency kits should include an emergency plan, sufficient water and nonperishable food with a manual can-opener, wind-up or battery-powered flashlight and radio, a first aid kit, a small amount of cash and any special items such as prescriptions.

While we are accustomed to many natural hazards that we experience each year, you never know when you may be forced to take shelter, need to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, or leave your home at a moment’s notice.

Are you ready?

Items to include when making an emergency kit.