Roanoke officials are trying to help residents prepare for emergencies and natural disasters.
The city has teamed up with the American Red Cross to host a 72 Hour Preparedness informational event this week.
Tiffany Bradbury is Roanoke’s Community Risk Reduction Specialist.
“Basically what we want people to realize is during an emergency situation it is your personal responsibility to make sure that you and your family are ready to be alone for 72 hours," she says. "Because a lot of times if we have say, severe flooding or some type of storm come through, it may take three days for people to get to you.”
The event will stress the importance of having an emergency plan and preparedness kit – which should contain food, water and other necessary items.
Bradbury says water is the most important item to have. Each family member should have a gallon of water per day ready to go.
Recent events – like 2012’s derecho and two skirmishes with hurricanes last year – point to the need for having a plan.
“Unless you work in a field like I do where safety is top-of-mind every day, a lot of times we get sidelined and we don’t really think until that emergency is happening,” Bradbury explains.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 1st at the American Red Cross’ Roanoke office.
The preparedness event is free to the public, but officials are asking potential attendees to register online. You can find more information here.
