How prepared are you?

You can’t anticipate an emergency.

Several years have passed since the events of 9/11. Sometimes it still seems like last month. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago. But the lessons we learned then are just as important now. It pays to be prepared.

You can’t anticipate a terrorist attack – or, for that matter, a natural disaster. But you can improve your chances of survival by knowing what to do when an emergency strikes.

Be prepared.
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Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received many generous offers of medical and support personnel, housing, transportation, medical equipment, supplies, and medications for the Hurricane Katrina emergency response. We are thankful for the outpouring of this humanitarian volunteerism.

We are now requesting that you direct requests from those who contact your organization about volunteer activities to the following sources:

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“Am I prepared for a catastrophe?”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, people across the United States are asking themselves this very question. We’ve seen the danger and chaos that a natural disaster or a terrorist attack can produce. The lesson learned from these tragedies can help us in the future – It pays to be prepared.

Safety fact sheets related to flooding:
Air quality problems caused by floods
Food safety after a flood
Utilities and structure safety after a flood

Safety brochure downloads related to flooding:
Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (.pdf; 336 kb)
Floods—the Awesome Power (.pdf; 1.5 MB)
Turn Around Don’t Drown (.pdf; 286 K)

Emergency Preparedness Plan

You can’t always anticipate when an emergency situation will arise, but you can improve your chances of survival by knowing what to do when one strikes.

Have a communication plan

Know how to get in touch with family members in the event of an emergency. Keep cell phone numbers handy. Arrange a meeting place. And have a central back-up contact outside the immediate area for all family members to call.

Make an emergency survival kit

Gather canned foods, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, radio, batteries and medications and keep them in a place accessible to all family members.

Tune in

If the power’s on, check your local tv stations for emergency information, evacuation procedures, etc. No power? Keep a battery-operated radio on hand.

Know where to go

Where will you be safest during a tornado or an earthquake? If you’re in a public place, where are the emergency exits? If you have to evacuate the area, what are the evacuation routes?

Learn first aid and CPR

Medical help may not be available right away. Whether it’s a minor injury or a life-threatening one, you’ll make a difference.

Educate yourself

The more you know, the less you fear – and the less likely you’ll panic in an emergency.