Knowledge Center:

Disaster Planning

Arcadia believes it is essential to develop a simple plan and a list of supplies needed in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane, ice storm or tornado that causes a power failure. The list below addresses items necessary to ensure your safety. If we have a plan and supplies in place it will ensure continued quality of life and may even save a life.

• An alternate way to heat your home during a power failure:
• Dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove
• Kerosene for a kerosene heater
• Gas generator
• Furnace fuel (coal, oil or propane)
• Electric space heater with automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Thermal underwear, extra hat/gloves/coats/shoes/boots/socks
• One set/person of clothing sealed in plastic bag
• Matches (preferably wooden and sealed in plastic bag)
• Multi-purpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher
• First Aid kit and instruction manual
• Flashlight or battery-powered lantern
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered clock or watch
• Extra batteries (sealed in a plastic bag)
• Non-electric can opener
• Canned food (food that needs no cooking/refrigeration)
• Crackers, sealed granola bars, peanut butter or other jars of high-energy food
• Dried fruit, hard candy, canned juices
• Paper cups, plastic silverware, plastic bags, and garbage bags
• Water (seven day supply, one gallon/person per day, store in sealed unbreakable containers)
• Toilet tissue, spray disinfectant, disinfectant towelettes
• Snow shovel
• Rock salt
• Wet/dry vacuum
• Special needs (diapers, hearing aid batteries, prescription medications, general medications like aspirin, pet food, etc)
• Extra set of house and car keys

Use this list to inventory the items in your home. Most people have some of these items in their home already. The supplies that you need can be purchased all at once or spread out over a period of time, as your budget will allow. You might want to call your local church, Red Cross or Salvation Army to identify if these items are available at a reduced cost or free of charge. Churches often generate a newsletter and are happy to post ads soliciting donations. Likewise you might find some of these items posted for sale in those same newsletters. Additionally, some community organizations provide safety kits that already include some of these items. Once you have gathered your supplies put them all in one, easily accessible place.

Finally, post this article on your refrigerator for quick and easy reference. You might also want to write on this list where the disaster supplies are stored. When these events occur we all need gentle reminders. If you need assistance with shopping, feel free to log on to the Arcadia website to locate an office near you for short or long term services.