Storm Center - Before An Outage

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit
Printable Shopping List for Supply Kit Items
How to Prepare Your Home & Family For Potential Severe Weather That May Cause An Extended Power Outage

In Kansas we can experience a variety of weather catastrophes: ice storms, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods, etc. All of these can cause extended power outages. When outages do occur, we respond immediately and works as quickly as possible to restore your service.

Before an outage occurs prepare your home and family. Having a plan and emergency supplies on hand can help you and your family better weather the storm. The following information was reprinted by permission from the Environmental Hazards Management Institute.

Prepare A Disaster Supply Kit
A disaster supply kit can be useful if you become confined to your home, are without power for and extended time, or must evacuate as a result of severe weather. Keep it updated and readily accessible for safety, comfort, and convenience. It is especially important if you have a baby , small children or pets in the home. All household members should know where it is stored. Replace food, water, medical supplies and batteries as needed. Pack the essential items you may need if you have to evacuate your home in an easy to carry container. We've marked those type items with an asterik*.Your kit should include these items for safety: The following information offers a general supply list and tips. For a supply check list to print out for a shopping & packing guide click here.

Essentials

Water
3 gallons/person, minimum in a food-grade plastic container
Additional Water for Sanitation

Food
Minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, or preparation, and little or no water, for example:
Peanut Butter
Canned vegetables
Quick energy snacks
Ready-to-eat canned meats
Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated)
Dry Cereal
Canned Fruits
Canned Juice

First Aid Kit (one for your home and one for each car)
Scissors
Sunscreen
Cleansing agent/soap
Tongue blades(2)
Moistened towelettes
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Triangular bandages (3)
2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
2" and 3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls each)
Tube of petroleum jell or other lubricant
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Thermometer
Tweezers
Needle
Latex Gloves (2 pair)

Tools & Supplies
Whistle
Aluminum foil
Crowbar
Paper, pencil
Plastic sheeting
Medicine dropper
Needles, thread
Signal flare
Matches in a waterproof container
Assorted nails, wood screws
Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
Plastic storage containers
Heavy cotton or hemp rope
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Non-electric can opener, utility kife
Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Duct tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron
Map of the area (for locating shelters)
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas & water

Sanitation
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Soap, liquid detergent
Personal hygiene items
Feminine supplies
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)

Family Medical Needs
Prescription drugs
Insulin
Contact lenses and supplies
Hear and high blood pressure medication
Laxatives
Anti-diarrhea medication
Aspirin or no-aspirin pain reliever
Antacid
Activated Charcoal and Syrup of Ipecac (use if adviced by the Poison Control Center)

Clothing & Bedding
Sunglasses
Rain gear
Hat and gloves
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Blankets or sleeping bags
Thermal underwear
One complete change of clothing & footwear per person

Baby Needs
Formula (ready made or include bottled water to make)
Diapers
Bottles
Sterilized bottle drop-ins or bags
Baby Wipes
Trash Bags
Medication
Powdered milk or older babies
3-day supply of non-perishable food

Pet Needs
Food
Leash, harness or carrier
Records of vaccinations
Non-tippable food and water containers
Pet Carriers if available

Important Family Documents
Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records
Record of credit card account numbers and companies
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Record of bank account numbers
Inventory of valuable household goods
Important telephone numbers

Entertainment
Games and books

How To Prepare In Advance For Severe Weather That May Cause An Extended Power Outage

Your Plan
Helping Children During Severe Weather
Electrical Related Tips

Your Plan

Call your local emergency management office if you or anyone you know has special needs in case of evacuation. Look under "county government" in your phone directory, or call directory assistance.
Stock up on non-perishable food, medicine, baby supplies and pet food.
Purchase bottled water. The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day.
Check emergency equipment (flashlights, battery-operated radios, emergency generators, etc.) and buy extra batteries.
For high winds or hurricanes have on hand alternate coverings such as plywood.
Trim trees that are not near power lines and clear debris. Once a hurricane warning is announced, trash pickup is suspended.
Monitor radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for official weather bulletins.
Keep extra cash on hand since an extended outage may prevent withdrawals from automatic teller machines or banks.
Contact vet or kennel to arrange for safe sheltering for your pet if you must evacuate. Public shelters do not accept pets.
Fill your vehicle's gas tank.
Bring loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture inside.
Designate a friend or relative outside your town or area as your family contact in the event your family is separated or has to evacuate. Agree upon a place where family members can meet if separated.
Evacuate your pet as well. Make sure you have pet supplies, and that they are wearing collars with securely fastened identification tags.

Helping Children During Severe Weather The threat of bad weather may bring back memories of past incidences. Although each child's reaction to severe weather is unique, there are some common ways children respond to stress. Most children have a negative reaction to the threat of severe weather. This reaction will gradually disappear with your help. The following is some advice on helping your children during severe weather seasons:

Remember that children need to talk about their anxieties. This process of talking will help them work out their feelings.
Give children clear information on what is happening and what could happen (within reason and considering their age). Knowing that you understand the situation will ease their feelings.
Involve your children in the family's severe weather preparations. Also, allow your child to have his or her own flashlight in order to give him or her a sense of control.
Take your children's feelings seriously and reassure them often. Be patient with them.
Younger children need to work out their fears while playing. Try to help them through this process with comments like, "That tower made a lot of noise when it fell down, didn't it?" or "That baby is sad, isn't she?"
Gently tell your children that sometimes life can be hard, but reassure them that the family is safe and together.
If the children are afraid of separating from their family and of going to school or child care, give them something that will comfort them such as a toy or picture.
Try to keep children as close to their daily routine as possible. A routine gives children security and a sense of normalcy.
Children sometimes tend to think that it is their fault if something goes wrong. Be sure they understand they are not at fault.
Tell children bedtime stories with happy, safe endings.
Repeat all these tips over and over again. It takes time and patience to make children feel secure.

Electrical-Related Tips DS&O is always concerned about your safety and well being, but perhaps more so during severe weather. Here are some important electrical-related tips to help you and your family prepare for an approaching storm:

If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life sustaining medical equipment, review your "family" emergency plan for back-up power or make arrangements to relocate.
Before lowering a TV antenna or satellite disk, make sure to turn off and unplug the TV, and avoid power lines.
Turn off all swimming pool pumps and filters, and wrap them in waterproof materials.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings ahead of time to keep food fresh if you experience a power outage.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.