Make a plan

When disasters strike, you may need to respond quickly. In the stress of the situation, it may be difficult to remember important details such as phone numbers or other emergency contact information. Take steps now to prepare to best position yourself and your loved ones in an emergency.

Below you will find more information and links to tools and resources to help you prepare for a wide variety of hazards, both natural and from human causes.

A key step in being prepared is to know what hazards and threats you may face. Hazards can be natural, biological, or from human causes, and your location will likely determine which pose the greatest risk to you. For example, are you in an area prone to flooding or wildfires? Knowing what hazards are around you will help you to properly prepare for an emergency situation.

Washington specific information:

Washington Emergency Management Division - List of natural hazards and threats
Washington State Department of Health - Current disease risk
Washington State Department of Health - Bioterrorism and Terrorism
FEMA - Hazards map

General information:

CDC - Information on Specific Types of Emergencies

Different areas of the country are going to face different types of hazards. Consider signing up for local alerts to be notified of current hazards and conditions. Serviced through Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), they can provide critical information like evacuations, severe weather, missing persons, fire, police action, emergency hazardous spill, or road closure. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you choose, such as your home, mobile phone, business phone, email address, text messages and more.

CRESA - Sign up for Clark County regional specific alerts

For more information about alerts, visit Ready.Gov for general information about different types of alert systems and sign up for FEMA and NOAA weather alerts.

Tip: Ensure your phone has alerts on.

When a disaster or emergency occurs, you may not be with your loved ones. Additionally, the stress of the situation may result in an inability to remember certain details such as phone numbers. Having an updated, practiced, and printed communication plan is key to ensure you and your loved ones can be reunited promptly.

There are many options for templates. Find the one that works best for your household or create your own! Here are a few samples from community partners to get you started.

Public Alerts - Make a Plan
Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency - Household Template
Ready.gov - Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan
Clark County emergency preparedness page - Family disaster planning webpage

If you are separated from your loved ones when a disaster strikes, knowing where and how they are will help determine your next steps. The stress of the event may make it difficult to remember even routine information, like phone numbers. Additionally, phone service may be impacted by a surge in 911 calls or potentially being restricted for emergency responders due to the scope of the emergency. For localized situations, local lines may be clogged or restricted, however long distance lines may be open for use.

For these reasons, it is recommended that every household member carries an emergency contact card in a wallet, purse, or backpack at all times. On these cards is a place for a local contact, local meeting location, and an out-of-area contact.

There are special considerations when preparing for an emergency if there are medical, emotional, or physical needs. Below are resources available to ensure you are meeting the needs of yourself or loved one.

Washington State Department of Health - Emergency information for specific groups
- Fact sheets are also available for needs in languages other than English
CDC - Resources for specific groups

If there are children in your household, the following resources can help you prepare.

Ready.Gov - Welcome to ready kids
Washington Department of Health information Children and Disasters
HealthyChildren.org information on preparing with children or pregnant women
Families with children and youth with disabilities and medical needs
HHS Child and Adolescent Health Emergency Planning Toolkit

In addition to supplies, Ready.Gov has an interactive campaign for children to Prepare with Pedro. Including children in on the process will increase their ownership and understanding of the plans.

Family pets have additional needs during an emergency event. Knowing which evacuation centers allow pets will help get you and your animals to safety quicker.

Information for small pets, dogs, and cats:

Washington State Department of Health - How to help your pets before, during, and after an emergency
- Includes resources in languages other than English
Clark County - Disaster preparedness for pets

Livestock or large animals face unique challenges in an emergency event. The following resources have information on how to prepare and protect livestock during an incident.