Emergency Preparedness: Essential Tips for Cedar Rapids Residents

Emergencies can happen anytime. It's crucial to be prepared, especially for Cedar Rapids residents. If you live elsewhere, some of this information is generic and can still apply to your situation. However, you will need to verify what is applicable in your local area.

Preparing for Emergencies: A Cedar Rapids Focus

After the Derecho, Mai and I re-examined our emergency kit and upgraded its contents. Now we have an old roller suitcase stocked with essentials. It's always good to be ready for the unexpected.

Did you read the March 2025 'Our City' magazine you received in the mail? If you did, you may have seen the article about the City's emergency-preparedness program, Neighborhood P.A.C.T. (Prepare, Act, Communicate, Train). This program provides tools and resources to help you get ready before disaster strikes.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department leads this initiative, which was started after the 2008 flood and the 2020 Derecho. You can visit CityofCR.com/PACT for helpful worksheets, sample Emergency Action Plans, a list of participating Neighborhood Resource Centers, and much more.

Building Your Emergency Supply Kit

The Essentials

To prepare adequately, you should start by assembling an emergency supply kit. A basic kit includes essential items like:

• Non-perishable food

• Bottled water

• First Aid kit

• Flashlights

• Extra batteries

• Weather radio

• Whistle

  
  

We dedicated an old suitcase in our household for our emergency supply kit. It lives in my closet, ensuring it's easily accessible when needed.

Customize Your Kit

Take a moment to think about additional items you might need, such as:

• Medications (including a week’s supply of all prescription medications)

• Personal hygiene products

• Important documents (keep them in a waterproof container)

  
  

It's crucial to tailor your kit to your family's specific needs.

Family Emergency Plan

Communication is Key

Create a plan with your family or household to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Here are key steps to follow:

• Establish how to contact each other during a crisis.

• Set a family meeting place that everyone understands.

• Keep copies of important information (family contact details, prescriptions, doctors, veterinarians) with your emergency kit.

• Regularly review and practice your plan together.

  
  

Teaching every family member about the plan can promote confidence and readiness.

Staying Informed and Connected

Effective Communication Methods

During emergencies, multiple communication methods can be beneficial. Know how to find the City's Neighborhood Resource Centers for post-disaster support.

• Sign up for emergency notifications from the City at CRNewsNow.com or download the Mobile CR app from your app store.

• Tune into Emergency Alert System radio stations like WMT 600 AM and 96.5 FM.

• Familiarize yourself with Neighborhood Resource Centers (NRCs) for community support after a disaster, especially when power, cell service, and internet may be down.

  
  

Training and Community Involvement

Share Knowledge and Resources

Being prepared isn't just about you; it’s about helping your community too.

• According to Ready.gov, be ready to care for yourself and loved ones for at least 72 hours after a disaster. Emergency services may take time to respond.

• Share important information and resources with neighbors and loved ones.

• Consider acquiring basic first aid skills and volunteering after a disaster to assist your community.

  
  

Individual "Go Bags" for Households

Essential Items for Your Go Bag

I came across another article in the June/July 2025 issue of Brain & Life magazine, emphasizing the importance of having a "go bag" prepared for each person in your household. Each bag should contain enough essentials for three days, including:

• Three large bottles of drinking water.

• Packaged food, such as peanut butter and crackers, and canned meat and vegetables.

• A comprehensive first aid kit with over-the-counter pain relievers, medical gloves, and bandages.

• Face masks and hand sanitizer.

• A flashlight and extra batteries.

• A blanket and an AM/FM emergency radio.

• An extra pair of glasses and a week’s supply of contact lenses, if you need them.

  
  

Additional Medications

Don’t forget to include a seven-day supply of your prescription medications, along with paper copies of the prescriptions.

Financial Preparedness: Your Financial Go Bag

Important Items to Include

Another valuable resource I found in the June/July AARP magazine discusses items you should have in your financial go bag:

• Personal Documents: Take originals or copies of Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, and estate planning documents.

• Home Inventory: Film a video of your home and its contents. Upload it online and store it on a USB drive.

• Cash: Having cash on hand can help during power outages or when ATMs are down.

• Insurance Information: Keep copies of your homeowners' or renters' policy and essential contact details handy.

• Account Information: Recent bank, brokerage, and credit card statements can help track your assets.

• Emergency Contacts: Have printed contact information for local services and loved ones available in case of a communication blackout.

• Digital Backup: Store electronic copies of your documents in the cloud using services like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox.

  
  

Conclusion

Being prepared for emergencies takes planning and effort, but it is crucial for your safety and the safety of your family. Embrace the information shared here and take action to prepare yourself and your loved ones.

Emergencies won't wait, but having a solid plan can help you navigate through them. Remember, preparation is always better than a hasty reaction.

Make sure to incorporate the Neighborhood P.A.C.T. program into your disaster readiness strategy. It could make a significant difference when the unexpected occurs.