The East King Trailhead(tm), the community quarterly for East King County

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst: What to do when the next big Winter storm hits

Wet, windy, Washington Winter weather. Are you ready for this year’s storm season? If this coming weather season is a repeat of last year, we could all be in for a wild ride.

The wind storm of December, 2006 left downed trees and power lines in its wake, and led to extended power outages (up to a week or more in some areas) that interrupted the holiday season.

“Residents and families should invest the time and money now to prepare for weather-related emergencies,” says Jaime Quick, communications specialist for the King County Office of Emergency Management. “Preparedness provides peace of mind and minimizes the impact on you and your family.”

What should you do to prepare for severe weather? Start planning now so you can be at ease when the wind starts to blow.

Prepare your property

Start outside: You can eliminate potential damage to your yard and home by removing diseased trees and tree limbs.

Issaquah State Farm insurance agent Tom Sessions notes that most insurance claims are water and tree-related. “Take a look at the trees in and around your yard,” he says. “Work with your neighbors and an arborist to identify problem trees. Oftentimes, an apparently healthy tree will be vulnerable in high winds.”

Flooding is another byproduct of stormy weather. “Homeowners should clean out their storm drains,” says King County’s Quick. “By having clean drains, we can minimize the risk of urban flooding that only complicates the situation when the power is out.”

As you prepare for Winter, the American Red Cross recommends securing outside items such as lawn furniture and trash cans. When the wind blows, these items can quickly turn into projectiles that could cause damage to your property.

Create a communication plan

The Red Cross encourages families to develop a detailed communication plan. Designate meeting places both outside your home and outside your neighborhood, as well as a way to get in touch with family members when phone service is down. Identify an out-of-state friend or family member to be your point of contact if local phone lines get tied up.

“You need to have a plan on how to communicate with your family when your cell phone and the Internet are not functioning,” says Bret Heath, Issaquah Public Works operations and emergency management director. “If you have a plan that you’ve practiced and discussed with your family you can lower your stress level when something goes wrong. You have a plan in place and you know what you and your family are going to do.”

It’s also crucial to be able to obtain information in a crisis. “During an emergency, when we can’t communicate any other way, you can use your battery-operated AM radio to receive basic information about the situation,” says Heath. KIRO AM-710 is the emergency broadcast system in our area.

The City of Issaquah is installing a radio station specifically for city news. “We hope to have the radio station, AM-1700, up and running by the first of the year,” notes Heath.

Build an emergency kit

“The most important step people should take is to have an emergency kit in their homes and in their cars,” says Quick.

The Red Cross recommends that an emergency kit should contain enough food, water, and supplies to last you and your family three days. If you have the room and resources to create a more substantial kit, store more!

“People who are prepared to manage on their own for three days are going to fare better and have a better quality of life than those who aren’t prepared,” says Pete Butkus, Sammamish deputy city manager.

In addition to non-perishable food items and an adequate water supply, a kit for your home should include flashlights and extra batteries, a portable radio, first-aid kit, medications, small tool kit, sanitation supplies, blankets, and important family documents.

“If you have a larger home or many family members, think about what you will need to run your household without power for an extended period of time,” says Heath. “Stock up on battery-operated flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries now because as soon as you hear the words ‘wind storm,’ you won’t find them in the stores.”

Don’t forget to create an emergency kit for your car. Safety supplies, along with comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes, will make your life a little more pleasant if you’re stranded away from home.

“I have a three-day kit in my personal vehicles,” says Butkus. “You never know where you’ll be when disaster strikes.”

Think about technology

Power outages affect many systems in your home. Without electricity, things that usually make life easier—like an alarm system or garage-door opener—can become a nuisance. The King County Office of Emergency Management offers the following suggestions to homeowners:

Alarm system: Talk to your service provider about backup plans. Power outages can trigger some alarm systems.
Phones: If your telephone requires electricity to work, make sure you have a standard landline handset or cell phone to communicate.
Garage door opener: Locate the manual release lever and learn how to use the manual override.
Computers: Install surge protectors and a backup power source. (See sidebar for more data-protection recommendations.)
Stay safe: Keep the generator outside!

When you’re weathering a wind storm, preparation will contribute to your family’s safety, but you still need to be vigilant. The two primary risks households face during an extended power outage are carbon-monoxide poisoning and fire.

“We always stress that any fossil-fuel burning system, like a portable propane generator, is to be used outside because of carbon-monoxide emissions,” cautions Quick. “Last year, we had a record number of carbon-monoxide poisonings and deaths, so we’re working hard to get out the message about how to properly heat your home.”

A generator can be a good way to power your home, but take care when using one. “It is very important to follow all manufacturers’ directions when you use the generator,” says Brenda Bramwell, president of the Issaquah Citizen Corps Council. “Never take it indoors.”

As for fire danger, the Red Cross and the King County Office of Emergency Management recommend using battery-powered flashlights instead of candles.

“If candles are your only means, practice common sense to minimize fire hazards,” says Quick. Place candles on stable surfaces away from children and pets, and never leave them unattended.

Exercise caution when cooking. “You need to think about alternative ways to cook,” says Heath. “Have outdoor barbeques ready and remember to never use propane grills inside your home or in your garage.”

Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors should be installed in your home. “Make sure that all detectors are functioning properly,” advises Bramwell. Equipping your home with detectors is a simple step toward ensuring your family’s safety during a power outage.

Check on your neighbors

The severity of last year’s storms has prompted communities to distribute safety information to their residents. Despite officials’ best efforts to inform the community, there are still people who struggle during storms, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly and non-native English speakers.

“It’s a good idea to get to know your neighbors and make sure they are okay during a storm situation,” says Quick.

Your preparedness and education could save lives in your community. “The better prepared we all are, the more we help the overall response to any emergency by lightening the burden on our hardworking first responders,” says Quick. ■

The East King Trailhead
1420 NW Gilman Blvd. #2726, Issaquah, WA 98027.
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