Ventura County residents urged to plan ahead, be prepared in case disaster strikes

Sept. 21--A series of natural disasters around the globe during National Preparedness Month has made Ventura County officials' message more relevant and urgent: Be aware and a make a plan.

While local authorities say hurricanes like the recent catastrophic storms are not likely to hit Southern California, there is something with the same destructive power and no warning that can: earthquakes.

"The things that we have that would be natural disasters would really be something that's not easy to detect, like an earthquake," said Capt. Stan Ziegler, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. "That makes it difficult."

Other natural disasters such as tsunamis will have some warning time but in Ventura County would only directly affect the coastal areas of Port Hueneme, Ventura and Oxnard.

There are some weather indicators for potential wildfires, which are more prone to occur in what firefighters call the "wildland urban interface," or areas within 500 feet of brush, county fire Capt. Patrick Kelley said.

Some of the other more common disasters in Ventura County include flooding and landslides from severe winter storms, said Kevin McGowan, manager of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services.

But no matter the type of disaster, the preparations are the same, Kelley said. They include putting together an emergency kit for the home and car and preparing a plan, said the fire captain, who coordinates the Ventura County fire's program that teaches citizens disaster preparedness.

Barring any life-threatening situation, residents should be able to fend for themselves for the first 72 hours after a disaster because first responders will be overwhelmed with calls, Kelley said. They also may be impacted by the disaster, he said.

Prepare and be aware

There are several unknowns when a natural disaster hits. The extent of damage and the amount of time it may take to get to safety will vary. However, there are known items that are needed to survive.

They include water, nonperishable packaged or canned food, change of clothes, blankets, first-aid kit, prescription medications, battery-powered radio and flashlights, extra batteries and special items for the elderly or infants, according to an American Red Cross checklist.

Read more:

* Why being financially prepared for natural disasters is important

* What if an 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit California?

* Are you prepared for a disaster?

McGowan said there should be enough food and water for each family member for three to five days. A seven-day supply is ideal. A water guideline is a gallon per person per day, he said.

But Kelley said each family is different. Some adjustments will need to be made for those family members who are disabled or ill. Food and water for pets must also be kept in the emergency kit.

Kelley said to avoid storing bottled water directly on concrete to avoid chemicals in the concrete or on a garage floor from contaminating the water.

A kit should also be left in the car and may require additional items such as jumper cables and road flares. For a full list of recommended supplies, residents can visit www.readyventuracounty.org.

Beyond the kit

Kelley said copies of important documents such as deeds, insurance papers and pink slips can be transferred ahead of time to a portable hard drive. Electronic copies of photo albums and other sentimental items may also be made in advance and can help homeowners mentally detach when evacuating, Kelley said.

"Because that's what makes that house a home," Kelley said.

Residents can identify the hazards that may impact them by looking at the interactive maps at www.venturacountymhmp.com, McGowan said.

The next step is to decide on a centralized location to meet up after an emergency and a way to contact each other to make sure everyone is safe.

"Usually text messaging gives us the better ability to communicate when a disaster is occurring," McGowan said.

There should also be an out-of-state contact or someone who lives far away from the disaster who family members can contact to check in and get updates about other loved ones, Kelley said.

When deciding on a centralized meeting place for the family and planning evacuation routes, residents should be aware of the multiple routes they can take and become familiar with them.

For example, if traveling with a trailer, make sure it can move through the more mountainous roadways, said Mike Comeaux, a spokesman for Caltrans.

He also said the different routes are important to map out because the preferred or fastest route may not be available if it has been damaged or has been blocked by mud and debris flow. A nearby wildfire may also shut down a highway.

Due to these factors, residents should stay informed about roadway conditions.

But when loading up the car to leave, keep in mind that others might be doing the same thing.

"Pack your patience because there can be very long waits for traffic to get through," Comeaux said.

Potential problems

Severe storms, earthquakes and other disasters can have subsequent effects on an area such as power outages and gas leaks.

Authorities always urge people to stay away from downed power lines and instead call 911.

Kelley said it is important to assess a home after an earthquake to make sure a gas line did not break during the shaking or create any other potential fire risks. It's important to know how to shut off utilities, he said.

Rick Wilson, a senior engineering geologist with the California Geological Survey, said aftershocks can pose problems for a structure that has already been "loosened up" by a main quake.

Aftershocks of varying magnitudes can occur for some time after an initial big quake as the fault line tries to stabilize itself, Wilson said.

For this reason, avoid problem areas in the home or, depending on the damage, do not go back into the residence before a proper inspection is done, Wilson said.

Do not take elevators after an earthquake, either, he said.

Some faults run through Ventura County, Wilson said. These local faults can trigger tsunamis, he said.

However, the bigger potential impact of a tsunami would be from an earthquake in places such as Chile and Alaska, McGowan said.

Unlike earthquakes, there are warnings for tsunamis. The biggest one is the ocean receding, Wilson said. If a person lives or ends up in the inundation zones, that person should immediately move inland or to higher ground.

Using GPS location, users who have downloaded the Ready Ventura County app can see if they are in that danger zone or not, McGowan said. It is free and available for Apple and Android devices.

Stay informed

In order to stay up to date on road closures and conditions, evacuation shelters and warnings, visit www.vcemergency.com.

McGowan said the county can send evacuation warnings and alerts to residents who sign up for a free program called VC Alert. A resident can input a home address, work address or other location to receive relevant alerts such as text messages, emails or phone calls, he said.

There is also an option when signing up to let officials know of any hearing disabilities or medical conditions that may require additional support when evacuating, McGowan said.

In the event that wireless and other technology is not working, the radio in the emergency kit will be helpful. Local radio stations such as 1590 KVTA-AM, 100.7 KHAY-FM and a Spanish broadcast at 103.7 FM will report emergency alerts, McGowan said.

For more city-specific information, residents follow their local police and fire departments on social media.

Prepare your kit

* A supply of water of a gallon per person per day. Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.

* A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.

* A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.

* Blankets or sleeping bags.

* A first-aid kit and prescription medications.

* An extra pair of glasses.

* A battery-powered radio, a flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

* Credit cards and cash.

* An extra set of car keys.

* A list of family physicians.

* A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.

* Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

Source: American Red Cross

___

(c)2017 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.)

Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at www.vcstar.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.