September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, an annual initiative by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The goal of this initiative is to educate Americans about readiness for emergency and disaster situations that can happen anytime and anywhere. Every geographic location has its risks when it comes to natural disasters. In Maryland, we have experienced a wide variety of natural disasters, from tornados to hurricanes to wildfires. Knowing when a disaster is likely to occur and understanding that changes in climate may exacerbate the frequency and intensity of severe weather are critical for navigating a variety of circumstances. Below we provide some basic information about preparing for disasters, and while this is not a comprehensive list of how to deal with every emergency situation, we hope it can empower you to engage in further research for your specific area and take actions to be prepared.

Know your safe spaces and make a plan

It is best to be as prepared as you can in any location, especially those which you and your family frequent most often.

• Start by identifying the nearest shelters to your home, work, and school. Sheltering in place is not always the safest option, so it’s important to know of alternative shelters that are prepared for emergency situations in case you need to evacuate.
• Heatwaves and droughts are also considered natural disasters and can impact the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment. In the event of a heatwave and subsequent power loss, know where your nearest cooling centers are located. Official cooling centers provide water as well as an air-conditioned break from the heat. Many public places can act as cooling centers. The contact information for cooling centers in all Maryland counties can be found here.
• Make an emergency plan, and be sure to account for children, elderly, and pets. Ensure that everyone knows what to do and that the plan is updated as needed.

Tools to stay informed

Staying up-to-date on emergency conditions can mean taking action in a timely manner rather than when it’s too late. There are many ways to stay informed:

• Check to see if your county has an alert system for local emergencies and opt-in so you receive text message updates. For example, Annapolis has an alert system that provides text updates about flooding and closure of government offices during severe weather.
• Statewide alerts cover a larger area and can be just as important for staying in the loop of developing situations. Maryland residents can text “MdReady” to 211-631 or visit MdReady to get statewide alerts of severe weather and other public health threats.
• Ensure your mobile device receives wireless emergency alerts (WEAs). These are the types of messages one would get if there is an amber alert, and is usually accompanied by a sound and vibration.
• Keep a list of emergency numbers and listen to local weather stations.

Building towards long-term resilience

A combination of grassroots and top-down approaches are critical for ensuring readiness for disasters, especially in the face of increasingly severe weather.

• Community involvement can take many forms and provides a strong foundation for resilience.
  • Consider volunteering at the American Red Cross on the Disaster Action Team or as a Deployment Volunteer.
  • Donate to a disaster relief fund. These can be event-specific funds, or you can donate to an organization like the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, or UNICEF. Larger organizations like these are well-prepared to handle disasters as they arise.
  • Broaden your knowledge and experience through training courses, such as CPR and Emergency Management Principals, and share what you have learned with others.
• Local and state governance can support these efforts and have the power to make necessary changes happen. Many regions are prioritizing adaptation and resilience measures because they understand the necessity to reduce or prevent the harm caused by severe weather. Over the last 5 years, IAN has worked with state and local governments to help them assess their resilience status. These assessments provide them with an understanding of the risks and empowerment to make decisions that will enhance resilience. You can find out more about those projects at arccoastalresilience.org.

Once you are equipped with the tools and knowledge to deal with emergencies, ensure you have supplies set aside to meet your basic needs during an emergency. Build a supply kit with basics such as non-perishable food, water, medicine, and extra clothes. It’s also critical to keep copies of important documents in your kit in case you’re unable to locate the originals or they become damaged. For a more detailed list of items, visit ready.gov/kit. Update the kit as needed and consider keeping extra kits at work and in your car.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War