The winter season is around the corner. For any type of disaster, you may need a disaster kit. The question that people ask all of the time is, "What should be in a disaster kit?" There are several things you should have in a disaster kit. For example, non-perishable food like energy bars, crackers, etc. You would need to have a gallon of water for a three-day supply per person. Some other great things to have in your kit are a manual can opener, a flash light with an extra battery, a NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries or a hand crank radio,, or a television. If you take medication, you could add some to the disaster kit in case you need some in a disaster. Also, if you have kids, you could add a deck of cards or coloring books to the kit. Pack in your disaster kit important documents like your insurance papers and toiletries.

Develop a disaster plan! Write these questions down and answer them:

Where would your family, friends, or yourself meet after a disaster?

Who is your out of state “check in" contact?

Will you have an extended stay? Or a shelter in place? Or would you choose evacuation?

How would you escape your home? Your work place? School? Or place of worship?

Keep written contact information with you at all times and make sure you write down things like...

You and your partner's and or roommate's workplace and home phone number

Your children's school number

Your doctor's name and phone number

If you have a veterinarian, write their name and phone number down.

If your animal has any medication and dosage, write that down and the prescribing doctor.

Write your neighborhood meeting place and phone number.

Then if you are out of state, make sure you write down your meeting place and phone number.

Communication is really important during a disaster, so make sure you keep a list of emergency phone numbers and cell phone numbers. Have a charged battery and car phone chargers for back up power for your cell phone. If you have a traditional landline, keep a non-cordless in your home because it will work even if you lose power. Prepare a family contact sheet with at least one out of town contact. Often, it's easier to make long-distance rather than local calls during an emergency.

Also, subscribe to text alert service from local or state government and schools that receive emergency alerts. Reaching friends, family, and emergency services during and after a disaster is important. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For non-emergencies, text messaging, email, or social media are less likely to experience network congestion. You can use social media to let family and friends know you are okay. Keep all phone calls brief - just share vital information. Conserve your cell phone battery by reducing screen brightness, pacing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps that you are not using. Tune into your local news stations, like for Richmond, it will be CBS6, NBC12, ABC8, and PBS. For Charlottesville, it will be ABC 16, WAUHOO FOX27, NBC29, CW 29, and PBS. And listen to radio stations for alerts during a disaster. If you lose power, report it right away to your power company like for example, Central Virginia Electric Co-OP, Dominion Virginia Power, and Appalachian Power Etc.

Here are some good links to have in a disaster...

http://www.fema.gov http://www.ready.gov http://www.vaemergency.govhttp://www.ready.gov/kids http://www.do1thing.com http://www.facebook.com/VDHgov http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaStatePolice http://www.facebook.com/CDC http://www.facebook.com/readygov http://www.facebook.com/NWSBaltWash http://www.facebook.com/NWSWakefieldhttp://www.facebook.com/NWSBlacksburg http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDot http://www.facebook.com/cdcemergencyhttp://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT

Yours Truly,

Jack Maxwell

Executive Director of Scottsville Breaking Weather