Hurricane Trifecta

The year was 2005.
Thank God I was alive.
After 1992 Hurricane Andrew
We knew what to do.

The trifecta - Katrina, Rita, Wilma - of hurricane
Was making me insane.
No electricity, no TV, no AC
Displaced twice from home’s safety.

Book deadline looming,
My mind was zooming.
Faith in hand,
There was a plan.
Well prepared for any and all
Hotels and spas heard my call.

August to November,
I will remember.
Being prepared and ready
Kept things coping steady.

by J. L. Richardson, MD

Red Cross Information - State, Local, Blog, Phone

State and local Red Cross offices
http://www.redcross.org/cgi-bin/chapts-new.asp

Red Cross main link
http://www.redcross.org/

Red Cross Blog & Updates
http://www.redcrosschat.org/

Red Cross on Twitter
http://redcrosschat.org/twitter/
http://twitter.com/RedCross

Red Cross Phone
call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Español)

Emergency Contact Information

"Prepare. Plan. Stay informed." -- http://www.ready.gov/

The CDC recommends that
"If you are a member of the general public…
If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological, chemical or radiological agent, or if you believe an intentional threat will occur or is occurring, please call 911."


RED CROSS
http://www.redcross.org/
Phone: (202) 303 5000
Donation Hotlines: (800)-REDCROSS/ (800)-733-2767 / (800)-257-7575 (Español)

National Weather Service
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
http://www.weather.gov/

NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration)
http://www.noaa.gov/
NOAA in Your State
http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/NIYS0107/noaainyourstate.html


FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA, TTY (800) 462-7585


CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/
Ph: (800) CDC-INFO/(800) 232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov. For TTY, call (888) 232-6348.
Ph: for health professional or government official: 770-488-7100


CDC Emergency Preparedness for Flood, Hurricane, Wildfires and more
http://emergency.cdc.gov/


Flood Smart (NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program}
http://www.floodsmart.gov/
Ph: 1- 888-379-9531


Disaster Assistance
http://www.disasterhelp.gov/
Phone: (888) 333-9473
Email: sdcemoc@dhs.gov
Disaster Assistance Local Resources
http://www.disasterhelp.gov/start.shtm


Ready.gov
http://www.ready.gov/
Press Inquiries:
202-282-8010
To Order Ready Publications:
Contact the FEMA Warehouse: 1-800-480-2520
Email:ready@dhs.gov

National Guard
http://www.nationalguard.com/

Example of Twitter Emergency Info

RT @Florida_SWO: Traveling this Easter weekend in North Florida or the Big Bend? Call 511 or visit www.FL511.com before getting on the r ...about 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

RT @drjfpmd: Follow @RedCrossOKC for local updates.Phone 405-228-9500 #okfire #okfiresabout 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

@femaregion4 RT @FSUAlert: 4/10/09 9AM - View map of current & pending road closures & recommended detours due 2 flooding.: Below.. http ...about 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

RT @CDCemergency info on wildfire safety http://emergency.cdc.gov/di... #OKfireabout 2 hours ago from web

5 Twitter Techniques http://tinyurl.com/cjtkstabout 2 hours ago from web

@RedCrossOKC @femaregion6 RT@NewsOK http://newsok.com/tw/3360447 Shelters for fire evacuees in Oklahoma #OKfireabout 2 hours ago from web

Start a volunteer Medical Reserve Corps in your communityhttp://www.medicalreserveco... #medical #volunteers #emergencyabout 4 hours ago from web

Weather Radioshttp://tinyurl.com/djju26about 7 hours ago from web

Patient Handbook to Medical Care on twitter & blogtalkradio http://mypatienthandbook.co...about 11 hours ago from web


Follow @RedCrossOKC for local updates.Phone 405-228-9500 #okfire #okfiresabout 13 hours ago from TweetChat

live tv> RT @Nalora RT @NEWS9: Watch continuing coverage of Oklahoma's spreading wild fires:http://tinyurl.com/akuwkz #okfires #okfiresabout 14 hours ago from TweetChat

Medical Reserve Corps Civilian Volunteers in OK http://tinyurl.com/clm6za #OKfire #okfiresabout 14 hours ago from TweetChat

RT @patrickallmond Midwest City Evac Plans http://bit.ly/yAfM #okfires #okfiresabout 14 hours ago from TweetChat

this is good!symptom checker - put in symptoms get dxhttp://tinyurl.com/4k2lfjabout 15 hours ago from web

@newsOK KFOR live on @TWIc the Weather Channnel now - directtv ch 362 #okfiresabout 15 hours ago from TweetChat

RT @rhoegg RT @NewsOK launching a chat about #OKFires on NewsOK. I'll b throwing some updated info on there - http://www.newsok.com #okfiresabout 15 hours ago from TweetChat

@femaregion6 RT @femainfocus: RT: @okem http://tinyurl.com/dyqd4x Fire Warning Midwest City Evacuation encouraged. #OKfire #okfiresabout 15 hours ago from TweetChat


RT @RedCross: We're responding to grass fires in Oklahoma. Follow @RedCrossOKC for local updates. #okfireabout 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

Emergency Preparedness - Do Your Part

It is always time to be sure you are prepared for any emergency. Safety and health are more important than ever during an emergency situation. Being prepared is a real-time, year round activity.

Though September is official National Preparedness Month, which is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it is time to prepare now. This program helps us prepare for emergencies. It encourages us to "get a kit, make a plan, be informed, get involved".

While it is important to prepare yourself, it is also important to help prepare your community. The Citizens Corp, "uniting communities, preparing the nation", encourages you to start with personal preparedness as well as volunteering to help in community preparedness.

Citizens Corps programs include the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Corps, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and USA on Watch (National Neighborhood on Watch).

Learn more about these programs at http://www.citizencorps.gov/ . Get involved. If you are already involved, call on others to do their part.

Preparedness begins at home. Be ready, stay ready. Be informed and check out National Preparedness Month at http://www.ready.gov/ .