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Natural disasters and local emergencies come in many
forms, such as floods, earthquakes, or disease outbreaks.
They can range from being an inconvenience (having no power
for one hour) to life-threatening (having your home
surrounded by flood waters).
Vulnerable Populations
Some groups of people are less likely than
others to be ready for a disaster. Those who are often
less prepared include residents who:
- Do not have supplies that may be needed in a
disaster.
- Have unique medical needs or special health
conditions.
Families with children are considered a vulnerable
population which means they are more likely to
experience hardship, even disability and death, from a
disaster when compared to others.
Basic Supplies for Families
Being ready for a disaster does not have to be expensive
or time consuming. There are lower cost things that
you can do to be more prepared. Because emergencies do
happen in
Thurston County, taking a few precautions is a good
idea.
Needs of Children
Families with young children can be better prepared by
setting aside a three-day supply of the following:
- Medicine or medical supplies that
cannot wait. Pharmacies and stores may be closed
for a long time or out of the things you need.
- Extra food that does not need to go
in the refrigerator. This could mean formula, baby
food, powdered milk, snacks, canned foods, or cereal.
The power could be out for days.
To learn more about helping your family prepare for a
disaster, view our
handout in
English [PDF] or
Spanish [PDF].
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