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After
a disaster, you may be without power, water, food or any of the
services and businesses we rely on. Immediate response may not be
possible, so residents must be prepared to be self-reliant for
several weeks.
Re-entry
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Be patient.
Access to affected areas will be controlled. You won't be able
to return to your home until search and rescue operations are
complete and safety hazards such as downed trees and power
lines are cleared. It may take up to three days for emergency
crews to reach your neighborhood. It may take two to four
weeks before utilities are restored.
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Stay tuned to
your local radio station for advice and instructions about
emergency medical aid, food and other forms of assistance.
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Have a valid
ID. Security operations will include checkpoints. Valid
identification with your current local address will be
required.
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Avoid driving.
Roads will have debris, which will puncture your tires. Don't
add to the congestion of relief workers, supply trucks, law
enforcement, etc.
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Don't
sight-see, especially at night.
For your safety
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Avoid downed
or dangling utility wires. Metal fences may have been
energized by fallen wires. Be especially careful when cutting
or clearing fallen trees. They may have power lines tangled in
them.
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Beware of
snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by floods.
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Enter your
home with caution. Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry
your home.
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If there has
been flooding, have an electrician inspect your home or office
before turning on the breaker.
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Be careful
with fire. Do not strike a match until you are sure there are
no breaks in gas lines. Avoid candles. Use battery-operated
flashlights and lanterns instead.
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Keep grills
outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
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Use your
telephone only for emergencies to keep lines open for
emergency communications.
Repairs
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Make temporary
repairs to correct safety hazards and minimize further damage.
This may include covering holes in the roof, walls or windows
and debris removal.
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Protect
yourself from contractor fraud. Only hire licensed contractors
to do repairs. Check with the local building department to
ensure the contractor is licensed. If you hire a contractor,
don't pull the permits for him. If the contractor makes this
request, it may be an indication that he is not properly
licensed.
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Take
photographs of all damage before repairs and keep receipts for
insurance purposes.
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After
assessing damage to your home, contact your local building
department for information on required building permits.
Permits are always required for any kind of demolition or
permanent repairs, reconstruction, roofing, filling and other
types of site development. Report illegal flood plain
development to your local building department. Local
ordinances do not permit dumping in drainage canals or ditches
because it causes backups and overflow in the system. Report
illegal dumping.
Cleanup
precautions
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Call
professionals to remove large, uprooted trees, etc.
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Always use
proper safety equipment such as heavy gloves, safety goggles,
heavy boots, light-colored long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
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Tie back long
hair, and wear a hat and sunscreen.
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Drink plenty
of fluids, rest and ask for help when you need it.
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Lift with the
legs, not with the back.
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Don't burn
trash.
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If you can't
identify it, don't touch it.
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Be extremely
careful with a chain saw and always heed safety warnings.
Water precautions
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Whenever
widespread flooding occurs, there is a potential for bacterial
contamination. Bacteria, such as shigella and salmonella, can
lead to life threatening dehydration for people and their pets
if untreated.
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Disinfect any
tap water you drink or use for cooking or cleaning. You must
purify the tap water until officials notify you of its safety.
Bring water to a rolling boil for a full 10 minutes or use
chemicals (eight drops of chlorine bleach or iodine per
gallon) or water purification tablets, as directed. Let the
water sit at least 10 minutes before using. Water you saved in
clean containers before the storm will be fine for two to
three weeks. To be sure, add two drops of chlorine or iodine
per gallon before drinking.
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