By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — If the upcoming storm season is anything like its predecessor, Ashtabula County residents need to take steps to ward off the worst of winter, according to disaster experts.
The county’s Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross are teaming to promote and preach the value of anticipating the worst Mother Nature can dish out.
September is National Preparedness Month, and the EMA and Red Cross are spending the next few weeks telling everyone they can to plan to avoid hardships should the power go out. Both agencies are booking speaking engagements with clubs, organizations and senior centers.
“We’re trying to get people to be prepared ahead of time,” said Renee Palagyi, executive director of the county’s American Red Cross.
The 2008-2009 storm season featured strong winds and snow storms that caused extensive power outages across the region. Similar storms — and their consequences — are expected in the months ahead.
The agencies have material on hand to help people build a basic preparedness kit to help them survive a reasonable period of isolation. “Last year we had four long-term power outages,” Palagyi said.
The basic preparedness kit includes a ration of water (one gallon per person per day), a minimum three-day supply of non-perishable food, battery-powered flashlight and radio, first aid kit and whistle to summon help. People also shouldn’t forget the needs of any small children and pets.
The H1N1 flu brings a whole new set of concerns, Sabo and Palagyi said. The illness could result in long-term quarantine for some people.
“With the flu, people could be holed up for three weeks,” Palagyi said.
When the lights go out, don’t hesitate to contact utility companies. Many people assume a neighbor has placed a call, Sabo said.
Also, check regularly on the welfare of an elderly neighbor or relative.
“During the last outage, some of our seniors sat (without contact) for a day or so,” Palagyi said. “We have to take care of each other.”
September was picked to host Preparedness month because of the 9/11 attacks, Sabo said. “It showed you have got to plan for everything,” said George Sabo, EMA director.
Also, the county is revving up its Citizen Corps, which recruits and trains volunteers of many talents to help during disasters. Each Corps member is assigned a task based on a specific skill they may possess.
“We’ve got great things for these people to do,” Palagyi said.
“We’re putting the feelers out,” Sabo said. “There are a lot of good-hearted people out there.”
A large part of the preparedness program stems from the impact of Hurricane Katrina a few years ago.
“A lot of good lessons were learned from Katrina,” Sabo said.
