5th Avenue, NY 7/19/18 due to a steam pipe explosion
*Joyce Rosenberg AP

House on Fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a Suburb of Boston due to Gas explosions *WCVB, AP

Flood in Wilmington, North Carolina due to Hurricane Florence
*Steve Helber, AP

Tsunami Miyako Japan, 2011
Tomohiko Kano AP

When They Tell You to Evacuate, Be Prepared

 There’s a reason for an evacuation, and you are fortunate when you were told ahead of time. Can you imagine what those people felt like this past weekend in Boston when out of the blue their lives were turned around when in a split second they were told to run because their houses may explode at any second. Where do you run to when all of a sudden all around you is chaos, fire, and smoke?

As you can see by looking at the four pictures, the second one is where people were warned about the impending devastation of Hurricane Florence.

The first, third, and fourth photos show disasters where people had no idea what was to transpire in the next few seconds.

We get it where people are afraid to abandon their properties because of looters or vandals. I know they probably have in the back of their mind that perhaps the forecasters are alarmists or that the weather pattern will change suddenly.

Authorities can do just so much when protecting your properties. Remember, Emergency Responders also may live in those same danger zones.

Everyone should have an emergency envelope or small strongbox with any documentation such as your advanced directive, birth certificates, etc., or any document that is hard to replace. Important documents should be in a place of easy access to take in case of emergency. 

You should have a plan in case everyone in your household is not home if you have to leave in a hurry of where you should meet and what everyone needs to do. And don’t forget your pets and their needs.

For more information of what to do in case of an emergency evacuation or any disaster, go to www.ready.gov. This will give you a checklist and procedures that you need to do in case of an impending emergency.

C.M. & K.M.