If you live along the Mississippi River, READ THIS

[Terre]

Source: Daily Kos

Cross-posted with permission by Deep Harm:

FEMA has finally acknowledged what some of us in the blogging community have been pointing out for days: those floodwaters in the rivers inundating Iowa and Illinois towns inevitably will make their way into the Mississippi River, increasing its flow and potentially overtopping or breaking 27 levees. But, FEMA isn't publicly sharing the specifics and there is little effort to get residents in the target areas prepared. As a result, we may see a repeat of the Iowa situation, where many residents were forced to evacuate with little more than the clothes on their backs.

My advice to those who live on the banks of the Mississippi: don't wait. Get ready now.

For anyone living along the Mississippi, this is a good time to test the family emergency plan. Don't have one, yet? Then, prepare one now. There's plenty of guidance on the Internet, from FEMA, the Red Cross and others, and I won't duplicate all of it here. However, I would plan to have on hand a week's worth of food and water, not just the three days some sources recommend. Even those not threatened by floodwaters may find their utilities interrupted and shipments to stores may be affected by closed transportation routes. Rest of the diary after the break.

Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/17/65254/3534

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Make contingency arrangements for shelter for yourselves and your animal friends. Ensure that each household member has a copy of the addresses and telephone numbers for the places where you can meet up if separated. If possible, include one location that is out of state.

If you may need to go to a public shelter, find out where you will go, how to get there, and what you can take along. Very likely, pets will have to stay at a facility designated just for them. Bringing along the pet's favorite food and toy (and any medicine) available will make the temporary separation easier.

If a member of your family is in a local nursing home, hospital or other full-time care facility, ask about the facility's evacuation plans. Knowing that loved ones are safe will make it easier for you to concentrate on other emergency tasks.

Shop Now

Many supplies will disappear when a disaster threat is imminent, so shop now for any items missing from your emergency kit. Buy that battery powered NOAA weather alert radio, lantern and flashlight you know you need. (I like the kind that include a hand-crank, as well.) And, don't forget the batteries! (Tip: get stuff that uses the same-size battery.)

Refill that prescription and the first-aid kit you've been depleting for everyday hurts. Gather critical papers, such as birth certificate, passport, citizenship or residency papers, insurance, photo IDs, deeds, car title, and documentation of local residency. Keep the car's gas tank about 3/4 full, make sure to keep some cash handy, and get a carrier for the cat or dog if you don't already have one.

Pack the Pics

Now's a great time to get out those family photos and take steps to keep them safe. If the photos are digital or you have a scanner, upload them to one of the free Internet photo sharing sites, like Picasa and PhotoBucket. Burn them to a disk that you can put with your critical papers. If that isn't possible, consider taking the pics down to a one-hour photo shop. Make copies of the best and mail the copies to family or friends who live out of the area. Whether or not you are able to take any of these precautions, you will still want to tuck some of your favorite photos next to the critical papers, and
keep them close at hand for the next few days.

Stow It

Some sources recommend plastic tubs, duffle bags, back packs, and other items for storying emergency supplies. But, a plastic cooler with a tight lid may be a better choice, because it will float if somehow it gets away from you. The waterproof, floatable bags designed for use by kayakers are good, too, and are available at many sporting goods stores. Where you stow the critical items depends on where you might be when an evacuation becomes necessary. Two options are the coat closet near the front door or the car trunk (or both).

If your home has an upper story, now would be a good time to move that heirloom bureau and other treasures upstairs until the threat has passed.

Reach Out

If you are disabled, have no transportation at hand for evacuation, or for other reasons cannot make the necessary preparations, now is the time to contact your neighbors, church members, local emergency management agency or social service agency to see what help can be provided. If you know someone who might, consider offering it, in case they are shy about asking.

Tune In

Begin following weather updates and listening for alerts on NOAA Weather Radio. If possible, check out NOAA's web page where you will find a map of current flood conditions and the areas where flooding is expected over the next 48 hours. The latter will give you a valuable heads up on what's coming your way. (Note: clicking on the maps will take you to a map with more detail.) (Especially, go to this link provided in the comments by billlaurelMD.)

Hopefully, as flooding moves into new areas, fewer people will be caught unprepared. What tips and stories do you have to offer?

Deep Harm's UPDATE:

In view of the number of readers who indicate that they live in the affected areas, this seems like a good time to mention the Disaster Accountability Project's Disaster Monitor Program which is currently looking for volunteers. Below is the program description from the DAP website (where I also blog occasionally).

The Disaster Accountability Monitor and Blogger network is recruiting "Disaster Accountability Monitors" and "Disaster Accountability Bloggers" across the nation, in every state and community.

One key component of this project is to make sure gaps in critical relief services are discovered, publicized, and addressed. The sooner gaps in services are realized, the faster they'll be addressed-- especially when organizations, relief agencies, and the government are exposed for not doing their jobs.

In the event of a disaster, monitors will:

1. disseminate the toll-free hotline.
2. assist individuals with reporting gaps.
3. help verify reported gaps.
4. help publicize gaps.

Apply here to be a Disaster Monitor. For more information, email Director Ben Smilowitz at [email protected].

My notes: This is sound advise, and worthy of breaking news. If the moderators feel it belongs in a different forum, please move as appropriate. Also, please check the original Daily Kos link for any other UPDATES to Deep Harm's diary. Thank you.

To those of you that may be in harm's way, be safe.