Prep for Hurricane Matthew Whether It Affects Nanuet or Not

NANUET, NY — With Hurricane Matthew wreaking havoc in the Caribbean and Florida, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage residents to take action.

"Even though Hurricane Matthew may not impact our area, this reminds us that it is important to be prepared. Now is a good time to review, update, or begin your emergency preparedness plans, including your emergency supply kit," said Dr. Ruppert.

After an emergency, help will be on the scene, but they can't reach everyone right away, county health officials said. Help can come in hours, or it might take days. Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off.

Here are three steps you can take to help prepare yourself and your family for an emergency:

1. Put together an emergency supply kit: There are some basic items that everyone needs:

• One gallon of water per person per day for three days and food for you and your family for three days (use food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked such as peanut butter and ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables)
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit
• Supplies for your pet, such as pet food, water, medicines and any special supplies your pet may need
• NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, or sign up for the NY-ALERT system (call 1-888-697-6972 or visit www.nyalert.gov to sign up to have emergency weather alerts and other emergency warnings and information sent directly to your e-mail or cell phone, etc.)
• Special supplies you and your family need, such as: at least three day's supply of medicines or medical treatments; important documents; a copy of prescriptions, dosage and treatment information; copies of insurance cards, and information on equipment or life-saving devices you use; eyeglasses; hearing aids and batteries; wheelchair batteries; and oxygen

2. Make a family emergency plan: Your family may not be together when an emergency strikes, so plan ahead. Know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.

3. Be informed: During an emergency, information will be available:

• On the radio, TV and newspapers
• On the County website www.rocklandgov.com and Facebook www.facebook.com/rocklandgov and Twitterhttps://twitter.com/rocklandgov (which can all be accessed on your smart phone even if you lose electricity)
• By calling InfoRock (Information Rockland) at 845-364-2020 (9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday)
• Via the NY-ALERT system (call 1-888-697-6972 or visit www.nyalert.gov to sign up)

For more information about how to prepare for emergencies, visit the Health Department's webpage at www.rocklandgov.com/health or call 845-364-2660. For helpful information on how to prepare for a hurricane, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes. This page explains what actions to take when you receive a hurricane watch or warning alert from the National Weather Service for our local area. It also provides tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.

Image via NOAA