08/06/2024
York County Office of Emergency Management news release on this week's storms
For Immediate Release --
The York County Office of Emergency Management is taking a proactive approach in anticipation of severe storms expected tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 6) and the remnants of Hurricane Debby expected to reach the county later this week.
Although our Emergency Operations Center is not in full activation, all of York OEM’s employees are leveraging their skills and abilities in their respective positions to prepare for the storms.
This afternoon, we plan to join a conference call with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to receive the most up-to-date information about the coming excessive rain.
This information will assist us in coordinating with our local partners, with whom we will discuss such measures as pre-staging supplies in flood-prone areas, where to establish shelters and additional capabilities of our partners should the need arise.
As part of our commitment to the residents of York County before, during and after storms, we plan to announce on social media today where citizens can enter information online about any losses to their homes and property caused by the weather. This will enable York OEM to assess the severity of the storms and determine which areas were hardest hit, so that we know where to focus our recovery efforts.
Flooding remains the most frequent -- but often underestimated -- natural disaster to strike York County. Our first piece of advice is that when approaching a flooded road in your car, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” Here are some other tips, courtesy of the National Weather Service:
-- Create a Communications Plan
Communication with your family and friends is vital in a disaster. Options include having a specific person identified to contact for status updates and a safe location to meet up with family.
-- Assemble an Emergency Kit
Have enough food, water and medicine on hand at all times to last you at least 3 days in the case of an emergency, in addition to batteries, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather Radio or other batter-operated radio easily available.
-- Know Your Risk
Is your home, business or school in a floodplain? Where is water likely to collect on the roadways you most often travel? What is the fastest way to get to higher ground?
-- Sign-up for Notifications
The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provides RSS feeds for observed forecast and alert river conditions to help keep the public informed about local water conditions
-- Prepare Your Home
Use sandbags or other materials to protect your home from flooding if you have sufficient time to do so. Filling sandbags can take more time than you may think. Have a professional install check-valves in plumbing to prevent flood waters from backing up into the drains of your home. Make sure your sump pump is working and consider having a backup. Make sure your electric circuit breakers, or fuses, are clearly marked for each area of your home. Contact your insurance company or agent to purchase flood insurance. This must be done before there is even a threat of flooding as insurance companies stop issuing policies if there is a threat of flooding.
-- Charge Your Essential Electronics
Make sure your cell phone and portable radios are all charged in case you lose power or need to evacuate. Also make sure you have back-up batteries on hand.
-- Be ready to evacuate
If it is likely your home will flood, don't wait to be ordered to leave; evacuate yourself! Make alternative plans for a place to stay. If you have pets, take them with you or make arrange to board them at a facility well away from the flooding danger.
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