How to Prepare for a Climate Disaster in Trump’s America

In your appointment bag, FEMA recommends packing three days of food and water, physical cards in local areas, a change of clothing and copies of important documents. According to a check-list From the agency, these should include birth certificates, medical information, copies of your rental contract or domestic rental and insurance policies, car titles and registration and bank information, seal in a container or waterproof bag. Consider adding specific items to your climate or your geographic frame (sunscreen for desert conditions or additional layers in cooler areas) as well as articles specific to the needs of your household (pet drugs, diapers for a baby, etc.).

Practical for emergencies

“Knowing your location first and what could be at risk will really help you prepare” for what could happen, explains Nicole Maul, national spokesperson for the Red Cross. Loan.govA resource affiliated with FEMA, currently maintains a list of dangers with security advice for everyone, while fema National Risk Index Allows you to see what dangers your county is the most exposed.

The practice of emergency scenarios can mean anything, to test a new radio in hand, to map different exit routes in your region in case the main roads are impassable, to coordinate with friends and family to know who to touch the base if something is happening. Mariel Fonteyn, the director of the American emergency response to non -profit Americas in the event of a disaster, recommends writing important telephone numbers on a piece of paper and preparing in advance for a scenario where communications may not work as usual.

“If the networks are overwhelmed, phone calls will not have made, but text messages will end up,” she says. “According to what is happening with the network, text messages outside the damaged area tend to go better through the family or a friend who lives in a different state, everyone putting in message to this person will be better than trying to send you a message to the damaged area – if you make your family.”

In some cases, knowing how to safely manage supplies and emergency situations can make the difference between life or death. Fonteyn says that carbon monoxide intoxication deaths are not uncommon after prolonged power outages due to people who are poorly using generators to which they are used to.

“If you have a generator, make sure you fully know how to use it safely and where to put it safely, so that it does not send smoke in the place where you are staying,” she said. Never use them inside.

Be ready to the way the political climate can affect federal responses after disasters

After a disaster which is too large for a state to manage alone, a governor can request a declaration of disaster from the White House. This declaration allows the FEMA to come to the affected area to coordinate recovery. The declaration also opens up a range of services to survivors, federal money to help pay subsidies to pay temporary housing, legal assistance, repairs to houses and reduction in tax bills, as well as to help states do everything, from the reconstruction of infrastructure to restore public services such as water and electricity.