Debby Woodin: Ready your storm plan, and don’t forget neighbors

March 13--Flashlight? Check.

Radio? Check.

Batteries? Check.

Knowing where to go when a warning is issued for a dangerous storm or tornado? That should be checked off your list too.

If it isn't, it should be part of your plan. Neighbors should also develop a neighborhood plan or have information about the neighborhood for emergency situations as well.

Keith Stammer, the Joplin and Jasper County emergency preparedness director, and Anna Leonard, of One Joplin, say that neighborhoods or people who live in multifamily housing, such as apartments, lofts and duplexes, can be better prepared by having information as well as emergency or ready kits at their fingertips.

"My first suggestion is to look after each other," Stammer said. In his neighborhood, there are about 30 houses and a couple of people keep information updated on who lives in the neighborhood and their contact information. That information also notes those who are homebound or who have special needs.

Post information about storm chances and watches or warnings on a neighborhood Facebook page or check on people who may need help in an emergency.

"There are those that are self-aware of the weather, and others, not so much," Stammer said. "By looking after each other, you make sure everybody is up and knowing about what's going on."

Neighbors who have basements or storm shelters may invite neighbors who don't to come over when there's a storm warning, Stammer and Leonard said.

Those who live in a trailer park or apartment house that has a centralized storm shelter should make sure there is a stock of emergency items, such as flashlights, radios, bandages, water and other basics. All residents should know where to access the emergency kit and how to use it.

The preparedness director said Joplin usually gets about a 10-minute warning before a tornado. "That is really only enough time to take shelter," he said. "For elderly people, 10 minutes is not enough to get to a shelter, so they must shelter in place." Neighbors should knock on their door to see if they need help, Stammer said.

Also remember that tornado sirens are designed to be heard outdoors, not indoors, so people should have a weather radio or smartphone indoors to get weather warnings. Neighbors should make sure that homebound residents should have a weather radio or phone that can warn them too.

Storm shelters should be registered. If you live in Joplin, register by going to www.joplinmo.org and search for storm shelter registration. Outside city limits, contact county sheriff's departments or 911 services to find out where to register.

"That's a big help to emergency services personnel if they have to go out in the debris to try to find you," Stammer said.

Emergency or ready kits should include flashlights, batteries, nonperishable food and anything else that would be essential for survival for 72 hours.

Stammer said that also should include a small supply of medications to get by on for a few days if your main supply is lost or damaged and a radio with extra batteries. He also recommends a change of clothes and shoes, and some dry food or snacks.

And one more thing. "I think it is important to note here the dominant item in that kit is drinkable water," Stammer said. He said that in the aftermath of the 2011 Joplin tornado, water service had to be shut in the tornado zone because of all the broken lines and that there was a need for drinking water.

Residents also should have a list of emergency contact numbers. "Obviously if for some reason you were injured or incapacitated, you should have emergency contacts that other people should call" to let them know your status and whereabouts. Keep a list of those contacts in your wallet or car, Leonard said. Also, keep a list of those you would need to call or notify of things like a power outage.

Leonard recommends including on the list those in the neighborhood who have generators, those with medical or first aid training, those who have ladders and chain saws.

If there was a destructive storm, "Designate a gathering site where everybody can gather afterward to get a head count and make sure everyone is all right. Ask, 'Where do we need to go? Who's missing?'" she said.

One Joplin has forms residents and neighborhoods can use to fill out those details.

Residents also should be aware that schools and some churches may have storm shelters.

One Joplin will have neighborhood safety and emergency safety workshops coming up. Details on when those will be held will be announced.

Debby Woodin is a reporter at The Joplin Globe. Call her at 417-627-7262 or email her at [email protected].

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