In a disaster, emergency workers cannot reach everyone immediately, and help may not arrive for hours after a large disaster.  You and your family need to be prepared ahead of time because you won't have time to shop or search for the supplies you will need when a disaster strikes.

Most disasters are natural disasters, the result of some force of nature such as tornadoes and floods. Some natural disasters can be predicted, such as severe winter storms, while others, such as tornadoes, happen with little or no warning. Creating a practicing a family disaster plan will help with safety, security, and comfort. However, be sure to make the plan simple enough so everyone can remember the details.

Know Why the Sirens Sound

Outdoor warning sirens alert us to chemical spills, severe weather and other outdoor emergencies. When sirens sound, go indoors and turn on a local TV or radio station to find out what the threat is and how to protect yourself. Most public safety and weather agencies will also post additional information regarding the sirens to their social media accounts.

The testing of local sirens occurs on the first Monday of the month at 12:00 noon.

Safety Tips:

• Discuss with your family what to do if an evacuation order is given. When told by officials, go immediately to a shelter as instructed or to the home of a friend or relative who lives out of the area. 
• Know evacuation routes. Pre-establish several different routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed.
• Family members can become separated during an emergency. Be prepared by creating a plan for how to reach one another. Establish an out-of-area contact (such as a relative or friend) who can coordinate family members' locations and information should you become separated. Make sure children learn the phone numbers and addresses, and know the emergency plans.
• Decide how to take care of pets. Pets are not allowed in places where food is served, so you will need to have a place to take your pets if you have to go to an emergency shelter.
• Assemble a family emergency supply kit and keep a smaller one in the trunk of your vehicle.

 What is Sioux City Doing to Prepare?

As a member of the Joint Woodbury County Emergency Operations Team, meetings are held weekly along with County departments, Siouxland District Health, area hospitals, and many other response agencies to revise plans and address disaster preparedness issues.  The meetings are held in a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center on the campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College.