The Disaster Diaries of Rhyane Jane

On June 12, 2018, a volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, Spain sent a mega-tsunami racing across the Atlantic Ocean towards the United States. The death toll on the east coast was high and the destruction vast, but RJ survived in DC. These are her accounts of the aftermath. She survived the wave, but can she last until help arrives? Tune into the Disaster Diaries of Rhyane Jane (DDRJ) to find out.

Entry 6 - June 28 09/12/2022

PREP TIPS: Learn Evacuation Information 09/12/2022

PREP TIPS: Learn Evacuation Information During an emergency or disaster, local emergency management officials use news media and social media to issue evacuation orders. Your evacuation zone determines when you should evacuate – zones at higher risk are prioritized for evacuation. Local emergency management officials will also share which evacuation routes your zone should use. Issuing orders this way helps to prevent evacuation routes from becoming congested and emergency shelters from becoming overcrowded. Plan for an Evacuation Do a quick online search to identify your evacuation zone and find a map of evacuation routes in your area. You can usually find this information by searching “local evacuation zone” or “local evacuation routes,” and finding the website of your local emergency management agency. Your local emergency management agency may have a mobile application, social media account, and/or text message-based alert system that you can download, follow, and/or subscribe to in advance, so you can receive critical evacuation orders and other information and alerts for emergency situations in your area. Knowing your evacuation zone, learning the evacuation routes near you, and subscribing to emergency alerts before a disaster or emergency means not having to waste time figuring those things out during an emergency or disaster. Prepare for an Evacuation This is where and come into play. If you have to evacuate, being familiar with the evacuation routes near you, including routes by foot and public transportation, can help you evacuate more efficiently. If you are unable to evacuate during an emergency or natural disaster and need to stay in place, having an emergency kit can help keep you and your loved ones safe and meet your needs until help arrives. If you and your loved ones are not together when evacuation orders are issued or you get separated during an evacuation, having a plan can help you reunite after the emergency or disaster. Additional Resources /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/24349929

Item of the Week: ID & Important Documents 09/12/2022

Item of the Week: ID & Important Documents Why do you need identification and other documents in your emergency kit? Well, it’s not to fuel a makeshift fire (that’s what waterproof matches are for). It’s to be able to rebuild your life after a disaster or emergency. Think about it. If your house is destroyed in a hurricane, for example, do you have a copy of your deed? Or if you don’t own your home, do you have a copy of your lease or other rental documents? To be able to receive financial assistance from the government or access your insurance benefits and other resources after an emergency or disaster, you’ll need policy numbers and other key information stored in these documents. So, what types of documents should you plan to have copies of in your emergency kit? Occupancy Documents These documents can help establish where you live. Lease/rental agreements Utility bills (e.g., electricity, gas, or water) Merchant statements (e.g., credit card bills, delivery notices) Employer statements (e.g., pay stubs) Ownership Documents These documents can help establish what you own. Deed or official records Mortgage documents Property insurance policies Property tax receipts or bills Titles/certificates of title (e.g. property, auto) Video, photos or a list of household inventory Identification Documents These documents can help establish your identity. Driver’s license State or military-issued ID Citizenship documents (e.g., passport, visa) Birth certificates Recent photos of your family members Medical Documents These documents can help inform any medical care you receive. Health records Medication/prescriptions Health insurance card Vaccination records Financial Documents These documents can help you establish and access your funds and assets. Bank account numbers Previous year's federal and state tax returns Stock and bond certificates Investment records Insurance Documents These documents can help you establish and access your coverage benefits. Homeowners insurance policy documents/information Renters insurance policy documents/information Flood insurance policy documents/information Earthquake insurance policy documents/information Auto insurance policy documents/information Life insurance policy documents/information Health insurance policy documents/information Disability insurance policy documents/information Legal Documents These documents can help you establish your legal arrangements. Marital status documents (e.g., marriage license, divorce decrees) Custody documents (e.g., child custody or adoption papers) Business documents (e.g., contracts, articles, certificates) Wills Trusts Funeral instructions Powers-of-attorney Contact Information Phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses can help you contact and access important people. Family Friends Medical providers Attorneys Financial advisers Financial institutions (e.g., credit unions, banks, credit card companies) Utility service providers (e.g., electric, water, sewage, phone, internet) Usernames and passwords for online accounts One last document to consider including in your kit is a letter to your family or friends, just in case you aren’t there. This letter could include a heartfelt and encouraging message, instructions for accessing assistance, and/or any other information or words you deem relevant or important. Additional Resources: /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/24349110

Entry 5 - June 25 09/12/2022

PREP TIPS: Make A Plan 12/06/2019

Item of the Week: Medical Kit 12/06/2019

Item of the Week: Maps 08/21/2019

PREP TIPS: Know What Disaster You Could Face 06/07/2019

PREP TIPS: Know What Disaster You Could Face Knowing what natural disasters are common and when, given your location, is a key part of being prepared. Earthquakes While earthquakes can happen anywhere without warning, the highest risk areas of the United States include California, Alaska, and Mississippi River Valley. Live in those areas? Learn how to prepare for earthquakes . Floods Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. You don’t need to be near a coast, river, or other body of water for flooding to be an issue. Flooding can be the result of heavy rains or melting snow. Learn your risk for flooding . Learn how to prepare for a flood . Hurricanes Hurricanes start over the ocean, but can impact areas more than 100 miles inland. Both the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines of the United States are at risk. Peak hurricane activity happens in September, but hurricane season spans from June 1 to November 30 on the east coast, and May 15 to November 30 on the west coast. Learn how to prepare for a hurricane . Thunderstorms Thunderstorms can occur year-round and at any time. The powerful winds, lightning, hail, and heavy rains that can accompany thunderstorms all pose threats. Learn how to prepare . Tornadoes While tornadoes can also happen anytime and anywhere, the highest risk areas in the United States are in the Midwest and the Southeast. Do you know the signs of a tornado? Learn how to prepare for a tornado . Tsunamis Tsunamis can happen along any coastline of the United States, but coasts along the Pacific or Caribbean Ocean have the greatest risk. If you live on the coast, learn how to prepare for a tsunami . Volcanoes The most active volcanoes in the United States are in Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Oregon, but there are others throughout the country. Are you within 100 miles of a volcano? The volcanic ash from an eruption could reach you. Sign up for notifications about volcanic activity . Learn how to prepare for a volcanic eruption . Wildfires Wildfires can happen anywhere, anytime, exacerbated by droughts and high winds. Are you in an area that experiences these conditions? Wildfires typically start in natural areas (e.g., forests), but can make their way to populated areas. Learn how to prepare yourself and your property . Winter Storms Winter storms and blizzards can last hours or days. Extremely cold temperatures, ice, and snow or other precipitation can cause pose serious threats to health (e.g., hypothermia) and infrastructure (e.g., power outages). Learn how to prepare yourself . START HERE: Check your community’s warning system. Type your location (e.g., town, city, county name) and the word “alerts” into Google or another search engine. Your local emergency management or public safety office’s website should be in the search results. See if you can sign up for emergency alerts from them. /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/10038446

Item of the Week: Water 06/05/2019

Item of the Week: Water How do you create and store an emergency water supply? 1. Calculate the amount of water you need. You’ll want at least 1 gallon per day per person or pet for at least 3 days. This water will be for both drinking and hygiene. 1 person = 1 gallon X 1 (person) X 3 (days) = 3 gallons total 4 people = 1 gallon X 4 (person) X 3 (days) = 12 gallons total Note: The average person performing normal amounts of physical activity requires about ¾ a gallon of water per day, leaving ¼ a gallon for hygiene. If you are in a hot climate, are pregnant, and/or have any medical conditions, you may want to store more than one gallon per person or pet per day. 2. Get your water. You can buy water in bottles, jugs, or even pouches. You can also purchase containers and fill them with water yourself. Be sure to purchase food-grade water storage containers and to clean them with dishwashing soap and water before filling them with chlorinated water. Additionally, you can fill bottles with screw tops (like milk jugs and plastic soda bottles) with chlorinated water. Be sure to clean the bottles with warm, soapy water and then fill them with a bleach solution (one teaspoon of household liquid bleach with 5.25 to 6% sodium hypochlorite in one gallon of water). Leave the solution in the bottles for two minutes, then empty the bottles and rinse them with water. You can fill bottles or jugs directly from the faucet. 3. Store the water safely. Keep store-bought water in its original, sealed container. For any containers or bottles you filled with water yourself, make sure the caps/lids are tightly secured. Also be sure to label your containers or bottles with the date of storage, so you know when it’s time to replace the water. Keep all your water in a cool, dry, and dark place. 4. Replace the water, as needed. Check the expiration date for store-bought water and replace when expired. For water that was not commercially packaged/bottled, you’ll want to replace it every 6 months. What should you do if your water gets contaminated? If you think your water supply has been contaminated, you’ll want to treat all the water before using it for anything, including drinking, preparing food, washing dishes, brushing your teeth or even making ice. Before disinfecting your water, you’ll want to filter it. If there are any particles floating in the water, either let them settle to the bottom or strain them through a filter (like a coffee filter or layers of clean cloth). To disinfect your water, you can: 1. Boil -- In a kettle or pot, bring water to a rolling boil for a full minute. Be sure to let the water cool down before drinking it. Note: Boiling is the safest way of treat water. 2. Chlorinate -- Add 16 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (should contain between 5.25 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Stir the bleach into the water, and then let the water stand for 30 minutes. The water should smell a little like bleach/chlorine. If it doesn’t, then add another 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water and let stand another 15 minutes. If the water still does not smell like bleach/chlorine, get rid of that water, and try to find another water source. Note: There are other water treatment products that are sold in stores, that use other chemicals (such as iodine) to disinfect water. These products are not recommended for use if they do not contain 5.25 to 6% sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient. 3. Distill -- Fill a pot halfway full with water. You will be placing the pot lid on the pot upside-down, but before you do that, tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid. You want the cup to hang right-side-up when the lid is placed upside-down on the pot. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled. Just make sure the cup is not dangling into the boiling water. Boil the water for 20 minutes. Note: Distillation allows you to remove microorganism that resist boiling and chlorination. It also removes heavy metals, salts and other chemicals. Additional Resources: /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/10037777

Entry 4 - June 17 06/04/2019

PREP TIPS: Make Copies of Important Documents 04/23/2019

Entry 3 - June 15 04/23/2019

Item of the Week: Food 04/16/2019

Item of the Week: Food What food should you keep in your emergency kit? And how much? For each person, you’ll want to have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items. Ideally, you should have foods that don’t make people thirsty (i.e., low sodium foods) and foods that are specific to individual dietary restrictions (i.e., no beef jerky for your vegetarian son). Food List Ready-to-eat canned/pouched foods Did you know that some meat products, beans, fruits, and vegetables are sold in cans and/or pouches? Note: If you’re adding canned goods to your kit, don’t forget to pack a can opener or a multi-purpose tool. If you think you’ll want to heat up canned or pouched foods, add camping cookware to your kit. Protein or fruit bars These bars pack a punch -- of protein and/or whole grains -- and will help fill you up. Dry cereal or granola Cereal and granola are great sources for dietary fiber, as well as B vitamins, iron, and other important nutrients. Note: Since these are dry, you’ll want to drink extra fluids to stay hydrated. Peanut or other nut butters or products Nut butters are chock-full of protein and heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so are mixed nut and other nut-based mixes. Bonus: They’ll help you feel full longer. Just select the lower sodium versions, so you’re not guzzling your water supply. Dried or freeze-dried fruit and vegetables Mango, apricots, cranberries, blueberries, bananas and edamame are just some of the fruits and vegetables that are sold dried in stores. Dried fruits last longer than fresh fruits, and contain more fiber and nutrients per unit. Note: Fruits and vegetables are also sold freeze-dried. Fruits and vegetables that have been freeze-dried have lost almost all of their water, so be sure to stay hydrated if you choose to eat the freeze-dried options. Canned/bottled/boxed drinks Water is the best option to stay hydrated. However, juices, especially 100% fruit or vegetable juices, can be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Low-sugar energy or sports drinks can help restore electrolytes. And low-fat evaporated, canned or dry milk are non-perishable dairy options. Avoid soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages, if possible. Food Safety Check your kit to make sure your food items aren’t close to their expiration dates. Replace things as needed. During an emergency, if food packaging looks damaged or if the food could be contaminated, don’t eat it. If your food seems off (it has a weird smell, color, or texture), don’t eat it. Disinfect food packaging, cookware, and utensils before use. Keep waste secure and separate from your food, cookware, and utensils. Lastly, ALWAYS wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) before preparing and eating the foods in your kit. Contaminated hands are a main route of transmission for foodborne illnesses. Additional Resources /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/9411746

Item of the Week: AM/FM Radio 03/27/2019

PREP TIPS: Know Emergency Radio Stations 03/27/2019

PREP TIPS: Know Emergency Radio Stations During an emergency, authorities can use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) infrastructure to send alerts, warnings, and other potentially life-saving messages to the public. The IPAWS infrastructure connects the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems. Messages are sent via the IPAWS infrastructure to all major wireless carriers (i.e., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.). Once these carriers receive a message, they send it out to their customers’ cell phones. During an emergency, there could be a lot of people trying to make calls on their cell phones at the same time. Your cell phone could have a signal, but you would have issues with connecting to the network and making/receiving calls or text messages. Even in this situation--when the network is congested--you should still receive alerts from IPAWS on your cell phone. However, if the cellular network is down in your area -- say from damaged cell towers -- then the cell phones in that area, including yours, won’t be able to receive the alerts from IPAWS. In this situation, an emergency radio may be your only way to receive alerts and other important information. You see, an AM/FM radio doesn’t rely on local cell towers; it can pick up radio waves being transmitted over the air from hundreds of miles away. This is why it’s important to know your emergency radio stations. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts weather warnings, watches, and forecasts, as well as warnings and information for natural and manmade disasters and other public safety hazards. These 24/7 broadcasts are at frequencies between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz. These frequencies cannot be received on standard AM/FM radios, so make sure you have a radio that can pick them up. Find the NOAA Weather Radio station for your specific area here: Additional Resources /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/9155999

Entry 2 - June 13 03/23/2019

Inside The DDRJ: The Canary Island Eruption 03/11/2019

PREP TIPS: Prepare A Kit 03/10/2019

PREP TIPS: Prepare A Kit No matter where you live, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to pack an emergency kit or a “go bag”. Why? Because, while tsunamis aren’t common, fires, flooding, thunderstorms, blizzards, hurricanes, and tornadoes are. Not to mention man-made dangers, like industrial accidents and terrorism. Think about it. If a blizzard knocks out your power, do you have a working flashlight and batteries? If a fire burns down your apartment building, do you have copies of your important documents (e.g., birth certificate)? If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t leave your home or have to leave your home in a hurry, these are some of the things you’ll want ready: Nutrition Bottled water Non-perishable foods (e.g., granola bars, dried fruit, etc.) Water purifiers/filters (e.g., iodine tablets, purification drinking straws, etc.) Health First aid kit Medications Glasses/contacts and solution Dust mask Hygiene 3 changes of clothing Toiletries Feminine supplies (e.g., tampons, pads, etc.) Garbage bags Appliances Phone charger Portable battery pack/solar charger Headlamp/flashlight Extra batteries AM/FM radio Paper Photocopies of important documents (e.g., birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, insurance card, will, power of attorney, adoption or naturalization certificates, proof of address, medical/immunization records, bank/financial information, prescriptions, contact list of important phone numbers and addresses, deed, etc.) Cash and coins Paper and pen Local maps Shelter Sleeping bag Tent Tools Swiss army knife/multipurpose tool Matches Whistle Duct tape Tarp Scissors Eating utensils Entertainment (e.g., books, games, etc.) Depending on the supplies you need, your kit may range in size from a small backpack, to a duffle bag or rolling piece of luggage. If you have a large family, each family member may have his/her/their own kit. BONUS TIP: Don’t forget to store your kit(s) in a cool, dry place and to replace items in your kit(s) as they expire. Additional resources for preparing your kit: /episode/index/show/theddrj/id/8951231

Entry 1 - June 12 03/06/2019

The Disaster Diaries of Rhyane Jane

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