Have a plan and build a kit
If you do not have a plan or an emergency kit, taking the following steps can create a more orderly and rapid response during a disaster:
- Take personal responsibility for being aware of local weather conditions.
- Sign up for CODE RED and receive local, public safety alerts via telephone, text message, and email directly from Douglas County. Consider signing up for additional notification means to further maximize your safety.
- Develop an emergency communication plan for you and your family.
- Build a kit. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other needed supplies to last for several days.
- Download the County’s Disaster Preparedness Guide for more helpful tips to prepare you and your family — including your pets and livestock.
Evacuation:
Take time now to create your personal evacuation plan for your family and your pets.
Shelter in Place:
Sometimes emergency officials will ask you to stay where you are.
- Go inside immediately
Take yourself and anyone near you inside an enclosed structure, whether it’s a house, business, garage, or vehicle. Contact your neighbors and tell them to remain indoors as well. Keep any pets inside. Gather a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. Move to an interior room, preferably a room with no windows. - Tune the Radio to AM 850
The metro area broadcasts emergency information on the radio station at 850 on the AM dial. - Stay off phones
County officials may try to telephone your home or business using the county’s computerized telephone notification system. Do not call the police, fire, or 9-1-1 unless you are reporting a police, fire, or medical emergency at your location. Overloaded telephone circuits may keep actual emergency calls from getting through.
What If My Children Are in School?
The Douglas County School District has installed emergency notification radios (NOAA) in all schools. The schools have also been equipped with School Safe radios, allowing officials the ability to talk with first responders. They’ve been trained to protect your children and will shelter them in place until the emergency is over.