Wareham Emergency Preparedness Guide
All residents should have a 72 hour disaster survival kit at home in case of evacuation or extended home confinement. These kits should include the following items,
· Canned or non perishable food
· Manual can opener
· Drinking water- 1 gallon per person per day, other juices and soft drinks
· Baby needs diapers, formula etc.
· Personal medications and prescriptions
· First Aid kit
place· Battery operated flashlight and radio or TV
· Extra batteries
· Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags or lawn chairs
· Sanitary supplies
· Cards, books, small games
· Road maps
· Wet and cold weather clothing
· Pet food
Evacuations:
Depending on the type of emergency not all residents will be required to evacuate, if your home is in a safe area or built to withstand high winds you may be safe to stay in place.
If you are in a low lying or coastal area you may have to leave due to flooding. Most roads near the shore line in CityplaceWareham are susceptible to flooding; this includes roads several blocks from the beach. If you are unsure about your neighborhood consult the flood maps out side the building inspector’s office in the basement of Town Hall or online at www.floodsmart.gov.
Shelters:
We will open evacuation shelters as required. Please do not report to the shelter until it is opened. The primary shelter for placeCityWareham is located in the Town Hall it is run by the American Red Cross. We will attempt to open other shelters as manpower is available, remember shelters provide a safe place to stay until the emergency passes. Pets are not allowed in shelters, Please make other arrangements for your pets. Public shelters should be a last resort, make arrangements to stay with other family members or friends or in a hotel outside the area. Travel may be restricted if you wait to long.
Before the storm you should do the following to prepare,
· Listen to local news and weather forecasts.
· Fill up the gas tanks on your vehicles
· Have extra cash on hand – ATMS will not work in power outages
· Prepare to cover your doors and windows with shutters or plywood
· Secure or bring in outdoor furniture and grills hand tools or anything that may blow around in the wind and cause further damage. Make sure your neighbors are doing the same
· Boat owners secure your boat with extra lines or take it out of the water
· Plan to leave if you live in a mobile home, live on the coastline in a flood plain or surge zone.
During the storm’
· Listen to local officials and evacuate if advised so
· Stay indoors away from windows
· Bring your pet inside
· Turn your refrigerator to maximum setting and don’t open unless necessary
· Stay on the downwind side of the house
· Don’t use gas grills in doors
After the storm,
· Stay away from flood waters
· Do not touch or approach away loose or dangling wires, report them to 911
· If evacuated return home only when local officials tell you it is safe to
· Use flashlights at all times, avoid the use of candles
· Don’t eat food that may be damaged by the storm
· Contact local official for assistance centers to help with damages
· If you use a generator make sure it is hooked up properly, electrical shock can occur and you can back feed electrical lines
For assistance or questions call the emergency management office at 508-295-6725
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