INTRODUCTION ix1 YOUR DISASTER PLAN 1Learn the Risks 1Prepare Your Family and Your Home 2Developing an Evacuation Plan 42 PREPARING YOUR DISASTER KIT 7Survival Supplies 8Food and water 8Tools 10Hygiene items 10Physical comfort items 11Medical supplies 11For Those Who Are Short on Space 12Storing Your Food Supply and Keeping It Fresh 13Storing Your Emergency Kit 13If You Have to Evacuate 14Car Kit 153 UNDERSTANDING THE WEATHER 17Watches and Warnings 17Weather watch 18Weather advisory 18Weather warning 18Other Terminology 18Judging Weather Conditions 194 DISASTERS: INFORMATION AND TIPS 21Earthquakes 21Getting your home ready 22The quake itself 24When the shaking stops 25Tornadoes 27iiiPreparing for tornadoes 27When a tornado watch is issued 28When a tornado warning is issued 29After the tornado has passed 30Hurricanes 31Preparing for a hurricane 32When a hurricane watch is issued 33When a hurricane warning is issued 34When you have to evacuate 35When the hurricane's over 36Floods 38Preparing for a flood 38When a flood watch is issued 39Flood warning and evacuation 40After the flood is over 41Winter Storms 44Preparing for winter storms 44When a winter storm watch is issued 45When a winter storm warning is issued 45If the power goes out 46When you find yourself on the road and your car stalls 47When the storm is over 48Wildfire 48When a fire is burning in your area 50When the fire's over 515 TERRORIST ATTACKS 53Must-Have Supplies 53Preparedness Strategies 55When an Attack Happens 556 SURVIVAL: WATER AND FOOD AFTER THE DISASTER 57Water 57Finding water 57Treating water 58Food 59Safe food 59Cooking food if the power is out 607 YOUR PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS 61Before a Disaster 61Insurance 63After a Disaster 63iv Simply essential disaster preparation kitWORKSHEETS AND CHECKLISTS 65Worksheet 1: Emergency Telephone Numbers 67Checklist 1: Disaster Kit 68Checklist 2: Medical Supplies 71Checklist 3: Bare-Bones Survival Kit 72Checklist 4: Car Kit 73Worksheet 2: Contents of House Checklist 74v.