Residents urged to prepare for storm

Tropical Storm Dolphin is projected to pass through the region south of Guam on Friday, May 15. The Northern Mariana Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross urges CNMI residents to take steps now to prepare for possible high winds and heavy rain.

Storms can cause significant amounts of damage to life and property. You should be ready for disasters by preparing in advance and creating a family disaster plan. Knowing what to do before, during and after a disaster is your best protection during a storm.

Keep enough disaster supplies in your home to meet your family needs for at least three days. Disaster supplies should include: drinking water, food, flashlight, first aid kit, medications, battery-operated radio, tools, clothing, personal items, sanitary supplies, money and contact information.

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for severe weather by:

-Staying informed of the latest storm updates: Listen to Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office Weather Briefs at (670) 237-8000 or dial 211. Additional weather updates also available at The National Weather Service website (www.prh.noaa.gov/pr/guam/) or The Joint Typhoon Warning Center website (www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/)

-Making a home disaster plan: Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a storm. This should be away from windows and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds. Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home.

-Creating an emergency preparedness kit: Pack a first aid kit and a seven-day supply of essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents like your insurance policies, cell phone chargers, family and emergency contact information, maps of the area and other emergency items for the whole family.

-Preparing for high winds: Secure picnic tables and other outdoor furniture, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind.

For more information on what to do before, during and after severe weather, contact the Northern Mariana Islands Chapter office at (670) 234-3459. (ARC)