When a person experiences an emergency they often find themselves unprepared with no idea what to do or where to begin. This can include protection for themselves and their loved ones, or how to respond when faced with an extreme situation.
After all, what do you need to bring during a flood? How are you going to respond if a tornado is headed directly toward you, with limited time to evacuate? What do you do when a winter storm knocks out the power and there are sub-zero temperatures outside?
Natural disasters hit Michigan, which is why it's important to have a solid plan for whatever life throws your way.
Below is a guide covering the different natural disasters Michigan is most likely to experience and how to prepare for them. According to Michigan.gov, these disasters include, but are not limited to, fires, floods, tornadoes, and winter storms.
Emergency Kit
The easiest way to make sure you have what you need during a natural disaster is to create an at-home emergency kit. Anything waterproof is best for storage, but a bag can be the best option when considering transportation.
"Look at what you need day-to-day to make things comfortable for you and your family, what you really rely on. Have a Plan B or C in the event power isn't available."Jenifer Boyer, Midland County emergency management coordinator
Items for your emergency kit could include:
- Drinking Water: General guidelines say a gallon of water per person, per day. You want a minimum of three days to a week’s worth.
- Nonperishable Foods: Like water, you want three days to a week’s worth per person. This should be canned and boxed foods that do not require cooking.
- First Aid Kit: Bandages, antiseptic, wipes, gauze, medical tape and scissors.
- Flashlight: One per person.
- Batteries: Enough of each type needed to fill up at least twice.
- Spare Chargers: Chargers are one of the most forgotten items when rushing to evacuate in an emergency. Keeping a spare or two in your kit can prevent this.
- Power Banks: To go with the chargers. There is no guarantee you will have access to electricity in an emergency. Make sure to check in on these at regular intervals to ensure they're always charged.
- Crank Powered Radio: These radios require no electricity or batteries to run. Having one on hand can help preserve your electronics while keeping you in the loop with the outside world.
- Hard Copies of Important Documents & Cash: Physical copies of documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, house deeds, car registrations/titles, your insurance information, and anything else important you would want access to if you suddenly didn't have them anymore. Keep these with some cash in a sealed baggie, hidden in your kit where they would not get wet.
- Spare Clothing: Dry, fitting clothing. At least one outfit per person.
- Hygiene Supplies: Toothpaste/brush, deodorant, hairbrush, baby wipes, etc.
- Trash Bags: Not only for trash, but to use as bags or to keep dry.
- Matches & Candles: When there is no electricity or heat, these can provide minimal amounts of light and heat.
- Canned Heat: These mini cooking tools can help cook food in an emergency.
- Pet Supplies: You'll want to set aside food and water for them.
- Multi-Use Tool: These tools look like pocketknives, but contain more pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, and more. Having all of this in a single tool can optimize space in your kit.
- N-95 Masks: This specific type of mask can help protect your lungs from smoke and debris during a fire.
- Fire Blanket: A blanket used to extinguish people who catch on fire.
Download a free printable emergency checklist here.
Checklist items sourced from Ready.Gov, American Red Cross, and FEMA.
This list is not comprehensive and some items may not be applicable to all. Your personal kit should include whatever you deem necessary for yourself and your family.
Fires
Michigan.gov says there are an average of 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires across the state each year. Most take place during the springtime, when the dead debris begins to heat up and dry out after the snow melts.
Practicing safe burning is the first step towards wildfire prevention and safety. Nearly half of Michigan's wildfires begin as improperly attended bonfires and burn piles.
When you participate in a fire, natural resource officials say it becomes your job to ensure it remains controlled. Personal fires of any kind should never be left alone, to prevent heightening the risk of them spreading into wildfires.
Burn piles aren't the only way a wildfire can start. Heat and compaction can cause leaves and debris to combust as well.
House fire planning is nearly identical to its outdoor counterpart, only contained to the home. The list below can apply to both types of fires.
Here are some ways you can prepare for a fire:
- Having your emergency kit prepared.
- Having at least two escape routes planned out on your home's ground floor, as well as keeping an emergency ladder on any upper stories.
- Setting up a fire watch group in your neighborhood, to keep everyone aware in case of a fire.
- Paying attention to air quality reports.
- Keeping N-95 masks around to protect your lungs from debris.
Information sourced from the American Red Cross and Michigan.gov
Floods
According to Michigan.org, over 20% of the world's freshwater supply is around Michigan. Between the Great Lakes and our roughly 10,000 inland water sources, there is no shortage of water here. Because of this, excessive rainfall or snow melting can cause plenty of chances for flooding.
Flood preparation begins by knowing the associated terms and signs that warn of a potential flood in your area.
NOAA has 2 different sets of terms to keep an eye out for:
- Flood Watch & Flash Flood Watch: These mean flooding is highly possible in the area and to keep alert.
- Flood Warning & Flash Flood Warning: Flooding has been reported or will happen at any moment. At this point, you will need to get yourself to higher ground as soon as possible.
If you are in a vehicle, the best thing to do is to turn back and get to the closest possible safe spot. According to NOAA, most flash flood fatalities are caused by vehicles driving into flooded roadways.
Signs that can lead to flooding:
- Heavy rainfall for extended periods.
- High water levels in your area.
- Dams in the area combined with the above.
Some ways a person can prepare themselves for a flood include:
- Knowing where your emergency kit is located, to grab in case of evacuation.
- Knowing when you need to turn your utilities off so you don’t get electrocuted- electricity can and will travel through water.
- Avoid walking through flooded water.
- Don’t drive until water levels have gone back to normal.
- Don’t drink faucet water. Tap water may become contaminated during a flood.
- Pay attention to the local news for updates.
- Keep at least 25 feet away from any downed power lines.
- Find out how far your home is from water, and what the flood levels are.
- Keep an evacuation plan prepared and make sure your family is aware of it.
Information sourced from Michigan.org, NOAA, and the American Red Cross
Tornadoes
An average of 15 tornadoes happen each year in Michigan, according to Michigan.gov. While this may not seem to be a large amount, the damage these storms can take months, in some cases years, to recover from.
Like with floods, there are key terms to understand for tornadoes as well: [SOURCE]
- Tornado Watch: It is possible a tornado could form. Make sure you are close to a shelter if this becomes a warning and keep alert
- Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by the radar. Take shelter immediately.
You may also hear the term “supercell”. This refers to a system of severe thunderstorms featuring rotating winds and a prolonged updraft that may result in hail or tornadoes.
"Make sure your house is insured. If we have severe weather or even flooding or wildfires, you should really be insured for those. People who generally struggle in recovering from those types of events are those without proper or necessary insurance."Jenifer Boyer, Midland County emergency management coordinator
The National Weather Service has a measurement scale, determined by wind speeds and the amount of damage possible:
- EF0: Estimated speed of 65-85 mph, light damage
- EF1: Estimated speed of 86-110 mph, moderate damage
- EF2: Estimated speed 111-135 mph, significant damage
- EF3: Estimated speed 136-165 mph, severe damage
- EF4: Estimated speed 166-200 mph, devastating damage
- EF5: Estimated speed 200+ mph, incredibly devastating damage
When a tornado is headed your way, there's a good chance you won't have the time to pack up and evacuate. The best way to make sure you're prepared is by making sure you have somewhere to take shelter. If you don't have a basement, a room without windows is your next best option. You will also want to have a reliable way to access the local news whether through a crank radio or your phone with a power bank.
Information sourced from Michigan.gov, and the NWS
Winter Storms
Out of everything in this guide, winter storms are the one Michiganders are the most used to. We are no strangers to seeing large amounts of snow throughout the winter months.
Even though we've all experiences our fair share of snowstorms, it never hurts to be reminded of a few tips to make them a little easier to deal with:
- Safely heat your home. Don't rely on gas stoves/ovens, make sure your insulation is up to par, etc.
- Keep your emergency kit close by in case you lose power.
- Stock food and water ahead of time.
- Know where your local warming centers are in case it becomes too cold to remain at home.
- Keep a shovel, ice scraper, and ice melting products close by.
- Get a generator, if possible. Store and run outside.
You can read more about these tips and more at the American Red Cross website.
External Resources: Food, Shelter, Support
Of course, even when you plan ahead something can still go wrong. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to help get you back to comfort and safety.
"Local radio stations are good, and most counties have emergency learning systems where they display or communicate emergency information. Calling your county dispatch or emergency manager and asking what those resources are is how best to get information."Jenifer Boyer, Midland County emergency management coordinator
Calling 2-1-1 will connect you to a live operator to help point you in the right direction for your specific situation. You can also get information about finding warming centers and shelters through this number.
The American Red Cross can help with temporary shelter, financial assistance, and health & recovery services. You can contact them from their website or by calling (305) 644-1200
In an emergency, you might find yourself without food. There are hundreds of food pantries across the state, each with their own requirements of participation. You can find a map of Michigan's food pantries here.
Each pantry has its own set of regulations for use. Make sure to contact your local ones to see what those might be.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency can give information, news, and support for incidents declared a disaster by the state. You can access their website here.
Another program for declared disasters, the Small Business Administration can give loans to those whose homes or properties have been damaged due to a disaster. You can access their website here.
We've also created a printable checklist for your convenience. You can access the list by clicking here.
