Natural Disaster Information
Current Threat Level
June 24, 2008 — The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.
The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.
We are mindful of the recent tapes and propaganda messages allegedly from Al Qaeda regarding increased attacks. At this time there is no credible information warning of an imminent, specific threat to the homeland.
Recommended Activities
- All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.
- Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.
Yellow: Elevated Risk
- Complete recommended steps at levels green and blue.
- Ensure disaster supplies are stocked and ready.
- Check telephone numbers in family emergency plan and update as necessary.
- Develop alternate routes to/from work or school and practice them.
- Continue to be alert for suspicious activity and report it to authorities.
All of us at Survival-Goods would like to encourage you to visit the Department of Homeland Security to obtain educated and real up to date information on the importance of staying informed and getting prepared for an emergency or natural disaster.
Disasters come in many shapes and sizes. Most are related to the weather. Some are predictable—like a hurricane. Some, like an earthquake, surprise us. It’s good for you to know about the different kinds of disasters so you can be prepared! Although disasters themselves aren’t fun, learning about them is!
A Family Emergency Kit is ESSENTIAL!
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A Family Emergency Plan is KEY
Recommended Activities
All Americans, including those traveling in the transportation systems, should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicions items or activities to local authorities immediately. Everybody should establish an emergency preparedness kit as well as a communications plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency situation.
Learn More about Preparedness
All Americans can visit www.ready.gov
Survival-Goods does not imply a relationship with, affiliation with, sponsorship of, or endorsement by FEMA.gov or any other government related organization but merely is our own interpretation of information gathered from a various selection of sites.
 Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Tornadoes must always be taken seriously. Tornadoes can be very dangerous—sometimes even deadly. They come from powerful thunderstorms and appear as rotating, funnel-shaped clouds. Tornado winds can reach 300 miles per hour. They cause damage when they touch down on the ground. They can damage an area one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk, but states in “Tornado Alley” have the highest risk. Tornadoes can form any time of the year, but the season runs from March to August. The ability to predict tornadoes is limited. Usually a community will have at least a few minutes warning. The most important thing to do is TAKE SHELTER when a tornado is nearby.
Tornado Tips:
- Listen to radio or watch television for weather updates. If a tornado is coming you MUST seek shelter. An underground shelter is best, such as a basement or storm shelter. If you don’t have a basement, find an inside room or hallway or closet on the first floor AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
- If you are outside and cannot get inside, lie flat in a ditch or ravine. Lie face down and cover your head with your hands.
- If you are in a car, take shelter in a nearby building.
- After a tornado, watch for broken glass and power lines that are downed. If you see people who are injured, don’t move them unless they are in immediate danger. Call for help right away!
- Tornadoes can be very scary. If you are scared, be sure to talk to someone about it.
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 Flooding happens during heavy rains, when rivers overflow, when ocean waves come onshore, when snow melts too fast or when dams or levees break. Flooding may be only a few inches of water or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods that happen very quickly are called flashfloods. Flooding is the most common of all natural hazards. It can happen in every U.S. state and territory.
Important terms to know:
Flood Watch or Flashflood Watch - Flooding may happen soon. Stay tuned to the radio or television news for more information
Flood Warning -You may be asked to leave the area. A flood may be happening or will be very soon. Tell people around you if you hear a flood warning. If you have to leave the area, remember to bring your Disaster Supply Kit and make arrangements for your pets.
Flashflood Warning -A flashflood is happening. Get to high ground right away.
Flood Tips:
- If you have time, bring in outdoor or garden furniture. You should also move important things to a second story.
- Stay away from flood water. It may be contaminated (contain dangerous substances).
- Do not walk through moving water. It can knock you off your feet. If you must walk through water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to test the ground in front of you.
- Stay away from power lines that are on the ground. You could be electrocuted.
- Always keep your battery-powered radio with you so you know what is happening.
- Grab you emergency survival kit so that all important survival gear are handy!
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 Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power.
Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an “eye.” Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. The heavy waves are called a storm surge. Storm surges are very dangerous and a major reason why you MUST stay away from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.
Hurricane Tips:
- Listen to a radio or television for weather updates and stay in touch with your neighbors about evacuation orders.
- Plan a place to meet your family in case you are separated during a disaster. Choose a friend or relative out of state for your family members to call to say they are OK.
- Assemble your disaster supplies kit. Store extra water now! Check to make sure you have enough food.
- Storm shutters are the best protection for windows. If your house does not have them, help an adult board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood. Tape does NOT prevent windows from breaking!
- Bring in outside furniture. An adult should remove roof antennas, if they can do so safely.
- Shut off your utilities—water, electricity and gas.
- Make sure there is gas in the car and you are ready to evacuate immediately, if you are told to do so.
- If you don’t need to evacuate, be sure to STAY INDOORS during a hurricane. You could be hit by flying objects. Don’t be fooled if there is a pause in the wind. It could be the eye of the storm, and the winds will come again.
- Avoid using the phone except for an emergency so the phone lines can stay open for others.
- If you do evacuate, do NOT go back home until local officials say it is safe.
- Grab you emergency survival kit so that all important survival gear are handy!
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 A tsunami (pronounced soo-nahm-ee) is a series of huge waves that happen after an undersea disturbance, such as an earthquake or volcano eruption. (Tsunami is from the Japanese word for harbor wave.) The waves travel in all directions from the area of disturbance, much like the ripples that happen after throwing a rock. The waves may travel in the open sea as fast as 450 miles per hour. As the big waves approach shallow waters along the coast they grow to a great height and smash into the shore. They can be as high as 100 feet. They can cause a lot of destruction on the shore. They are sometimes mistakenly called “tidal waves,” but tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides.
Hawaii is the state at greatest risk for a tsunami. They get about one a year, with a damaging tsunami happening about every seven years. Alaska is also at high risk. California, Oregon and Washington experience a damaging tsunami about every 18 years.
Did you know:
In 1964, an Alaskan earthquake generated a tsunami with waves between 10 and 20 feet high along parts of the California, Oregon and Washington coasts.
In 1946, a tsunami with waves of 20 to 32 feet crashed into Hilo, Hawaii, flooding the downtown area.
Tsunamis Tips:
If you feel an earthquake in the Pacific Coast area, turn on your battery-powered radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning. If you hear a tsunami warning, and they say to evacuate, do this immediately. You should have an evacuation plan.
A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles away. Do not let the small size of one wave make you forget how dangerous tsunami are. The next wave could be bigger. Get away from the shoreline right away. When you see a tsunami it is too late to escape. And stay away until you hear the “all clear” from officials. A tsunami is a series of waves, not a single wave, and the danger may not be over when you think it is.
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 A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and rock shoot up through the opening and spill over or fill the air with lava fragments. Eruptions can cause lateral blasts, lava flows, hot ash flows, mudslides, avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano eruptions have been known to knock down entire forests. An erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flashfloods, earthquakes, mudflows and rock falls.
Active volcanoes in the U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. The greatest chance of eruptions near areas where many people live is in Hawaii and Alaska. The danger area around a volcano covers about a 20-mile radius. In May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington state. It killed 58 people and caused more than $1 billion in property damage.
Fresh volcanic ash, made of pulverized rock, can be harsh, acidic, gritty, glassy and smelly. The ash can cause damage to the lungs of older people, babies and people with respiratory problems.
Volcano Tips:
- Do not visit the volcano site. You could be killed by a sudden explosion. Public officials may tell you where it is safe to view.
- If there is ash in the air, avoid being downwind from the volcano. A building offers good shelter from volcanic ash, but not from lava flows or rocks. If ash is falling, stay indoors unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing. Close doors, windows and all ventilation in the house. Cover your nose and mouth to avoid breathing ash.
- Be aware of flying rocks and mudflows. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run.
- If you live near a volcano, you should have an evacuation plan. Know what route you will take if you must evacuate and have a back-up route, too. Also, if you live near a volcano it is good to have a pair of goggles and a throw-away breathing mask for each member of your household.
- After an eruption, if you have ash on your roof, clear it away as soon as you can. The ash is heavy and could cause the roof to collapse.
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 Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. Earthquakes happen along “fault lines” in the earth’s crust. Earthquakes can be felt over large areas although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot be predicted—although scientists are working on it!
Most of the time, you will notice an earthquake by the gentle shaking of the ground. You may notice hanging plants swaying or objects wobbling on shelves. Sometimes you may hear a low rumbling noise or feel a sharp jolt. A survivor of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco said the sensation was like riding a bicycle down a long flight of stairs.
The intensity of an earthquake can be measured. One measurement is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes below 4.0 on the Richter scale usually do not cause damage, and earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake is considered strong and a magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake. The Northridge Earthquake, which hit Southern California in 1994, was magnitude 6.7.
Earthquakes are sometimes called temblors, quakes, shakers or seismic activity. The most important thing to remember during an earthquake is to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. So remember to DROP to the floor and get under something for COVER and HOLD ON during the shaking.
Earthquake Tips:
- If you are indoors during an earthquake, keep calm and take cover under a heavy table or desk. Stay away from glass, windows or anything that could fall, like a bookcase.
- If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, street lights and utility wires.
- If you are in a crowded public place, do NOT rush for the doors. Everyone will be doing that. Instead, take cover under something heavy and stay away from things that could fall on you. Stay calm. Do not get in an elevator during an earthquake!
- After an earthquake, be prepared for after shocks. After shocks are follow-up earthquakes that are usually smaller than the first one. They are dangerous because they can cause things that are weakened in the first earthquake to fall down.
- If you are home and you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and get out of the building right away. It may mean that a gas line in your house has been broken.
- Make sure you are wearing shoes after an earthquake. There may be broken glass on the ground and inside your home.
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 It is very important to prepare for both building fires and wild fires. Fires in buildings are very dangerous. Every year, about 5,000 people in this country are killed by building fires. FEMA has a Web site dedicated to teaching kids what to do about building fires. Look for the fire extinguisher at the bottom of the page to visit that Web site.
One of the most important things to remember is that your house should have a working smoke detector. Look around your house to see if you have a smoke detector on every floor in the house. Check to see if your smoke detectors are working. Check also to see if your family has a working fire extinguisher.
Your family should have a fire plan of how to escape from your house if it is on fire. If you are caught in a fire REMEMBER, stay low to the ground where the smoke is not so heavy. NEVER hide during a fire. Always get out. And once you are out, stay out. DO NOT go back. Tell a fireman if there is a person left behind in the burning house.
Wildfires are a danger for people who live in forest, prairies or wooded areas. These fires are sometimes started by lightning or by accident. They can move very fast and burn many acres. Remember, if there is a wildfire near you and your family is told to evacuate—go right away! And remember to bring your pets with you!
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 In many areas of the country, winters bring heavy snowfall and very cold temperatures. Heavy snow can block roads and cause power lines to fall down. The cold temperatures can be dangerous if you are not dressed correctly.
Important Terms:
- Freezing rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
- Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
- Winter Weather Advisory: Cold, ice and snow are expected.
- Winter Storm Watch: Severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
- Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.
- Blizzard Warning: Heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
- Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.
- Winter Storms
Be prepared for winter storms by having:
- A battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Extra food that doesn’t need cooking (like canned food)
- Rock salt to melt ice and sand to improve traction
- Flashlights and battery-powered lamps (if the electricity goes off)
- Wood for your fireplace (if you have one).
If you go out in very cold weather, dress in several layers of clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves, and you should wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from the cold air. Watch for frost bite. (Frostbite happens when your skin is exposed in very cold temperatures or you are not dressed warmly enough. You will have a loss of feeling in that part—usually a finger or toe or the tip of your nose—and it may turn white or pale. Get help right away!)
If you get trapped in your car during a blizzard, you should set your lights on flashing and hang a piece of cloth or distress flag from the radio antennae or window. Then get back in and stay in the car! Do not go out on foot unless you can see a building nearby. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes out of each hour. When the engine is running, open a window slightly. This will protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning. You may need to clear snow away from the car’s exhaust pipe.
You can use road maps, seat covers and floor mats for warmth. You can also huddle with the other passengers! Take turns sleeping so one person is always awake when rescuers come.
If you are stranded in a remote area you may need to leave the car on foot after the blizzard passes.
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 While thunder won’t hurt you - lightning will! So it’s important to pay attention when you hear thunder. Thunderstorms happen in every state and every thunderstorm has lightning. Lightning can strike people and buildings and is very dangerous.
Thunderstorms affect small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are happening at any moment around the world.
Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding. Strong winds, hail, and tornadoes are also dangers associated with some thunderstorms. You can estimate how many miles away a storm is by counting the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the clap of thunder. Divide the number of seconds by five to get the distance in miles. The lightning is seen before the thunder is heard because light travels faster than sound. (Of course, get safe shelter first, before you take the time to count the seconds!)
Thunderstorms need three things:
Moisture - to form clouds and rain.
Unstable Air - relatively warm air that can rise rapidly.
Lift - fronts, sea breezes and mountains are capable of lifting air to help form thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms are most likely to occur in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours but they can occur year-round and at all hours of the day or night. Along the Gulf Coast and across the southeastern and western states, most thunderstorms occur during the afternoon. Thunderstorms often occur in the late afternoon and at night in the Plains states. Thunder and lightning can sometimes even come with snowstorm! During the blizzard of March 1993, lightning resulted in power outages near Washington, D.C.
Things To Know
- When a storm is coming, look for darkening skies, flashes of light or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately. Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
- Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances, avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electrical lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
- Don’t take a bath or shower.
- Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor and damage the air conditioner!
- Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects being blown by the wind of a storm, then the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.
- If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, you must act immediately:
- If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
- If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter right away!
- If you can go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
- Become a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
- Do not lie flat on the ground - this will make you a larger target!
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 Until the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, FEMA responded mostly to natural disasters such as floods or tornadoes. But on September 11th, when terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and the countryside of Pennsylvania, the nation’s focus changed. So did FEMA’s focus.
Now, FEMA is one of the federal agencies devoting its energies toward homeland security. Since September 11th, often just called 9/11, parents and children need to know more about terrorism and how to prepare and protect themselves.
What is terrorism? Terrorism is the use of force or violence against people or property to create fear and to get publicity for political causes. Terrorists are criminals and when they are caught they are put on trial. Acts of terrorism include: threats of violence, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, and the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
Targets for terrorism include government buildings, large airports, big cities and national landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, and utilities such as electric plants. Terrorists might also spread fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through the mail.
Things To Know:
- Stay Alert as with a natural disaster
- Have a family disaster supply kit at home. Since you may need to evacuate due to a terrorist attack, it’s a good idea to have some supplies that you can take with you quickly, perhaps stored in a backpack.
- You should also talk about a disaster communication plan with your family and what to do if an event happens when you are separated and away from home.
- You don’t have to be afraid, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings.
- That means, notice if something around you doesn’t seem quite right. Know where exits are in a building. Don’t accept packages from strangers and don’t touch any suspicious packages. Take an American Red Cross first aid class. It’s good to know what you should do if someone around you is injured. If you are asked to evacuate a building, even in a drill, take it seriously. Get far away from windows or glass doors and get under another kind of shelter if possible. Follow the directions of the officials on the scene - and stay out of the way of the emergency officials who may be responding to the area!
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