Emergency Preparedness

Are You Ready

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere, at work, at home, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your home or confine you to your home or car. What would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity, or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Families can and do cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

Emergency Supplies

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least two weeks. Assemble a "Disaster Supplies Kit" with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers.

What Does Two Weeks Look like?

There is no one correct way to put together two weeks' worth of supplies since everyone has individual dietary and medical needs. If your family includes children, seniors or pets, you will have additional needs. Everyone's kit will look different but for a basic starting point, see the list of items on page 23 of the American Red Cross Cascade Region Prepare! guide.

Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller emergency supply kit in the trunk of your car(s).

Earthquakes & Tsunamis

Learn how to Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Oregon. View a copy of Living on Shaky Ground magazine (PDF). 

Douglas County tsunami evacuation maps can can be found here: Large Extent Maps (External website)  | Printable Douglas County Coastal Evacuation Brochure with map (PDF).

Visit the Oregon Emergency Management website for other useful information to help you and your family survive a disaster.