Returning Home After A Disaster

General

Put on sturdy, hard-soled shoes and work gloves for protection.
Use the phone only to report a life threatening emergency.
Use a battery operated radio to get any emergency updates.
Call your insurance agent.
Keep records of all clean-up and repair costs.
Don't throw away damaged goods until a complete inventory is made, and photos taken of your home and damaged goods.
Notify disaster relief services if you need housing, food, etc.
Secure personal belongings.
If you are a tenant, notify the landlord.
If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound--open a window and leave the building. Shut off the main gas valve outside.
If there is electrical damage-switch off the power at the main control panel.
Check for injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
If water pipes are damaged, shut off the main water supply valve.
Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches and flammable liquids.

Flood

Stay away from flood waters.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with flood waters.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet in the flood. The mud left behind by flood waters can contain sewage and chemicals.
Throw out food, cosmetics and medicines that have come into contact with flooded waters.
If your basement is flooded, pump it out gradually (about 1/3 of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.

Fire

Stay out of burned structures.
Ask the fire department for assistance in retrieving important documents.

Earthquake

Be prepared for after shocks.
Be careful when entering a damaged building. If you have any doubts about the integrity of the building, have the structure inspected by a professional before entering.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

Member Jurisdictions
GRANDVIEW, GRANGER, HARRAH, MABTON, MOXEE, NACHES, SELAH, SUNNYSIDE,
TIETON, TOPPENISH, UNION GAP, WAPATO, YAKIMA, YAKIMA COUNTY, ZILLAH

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