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Welcome to the Get Ready Capitol Region preparedness website!
Capitol Region Residents – the Capitol Region Council of Governments is developing a natural hazard mitigation plan to help our communities better prepare for natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, severe winter storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, dam failures, forest fires and drought. Please help us by taking a few minutes to answer our short survey so we can identify the projects we can undertake that will have the most benefit to our communities. Thank you!
In the past decade alone, Hartford and surrounding towns have been affected by blizzards, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, blackouts and heat waves. There is no better time than right now to prepare for the next disaster. During Hurricane Sandy the traffic to this web site was robust and our communities seemed to be better prepared. Being prepared makes a difference!
Residents need to be ready by following these three easy steps:
This website can help you:
Get Ready Capitol Region is celebrating one year of emergency preparedness in the Hartford region this month! In the past year, residents in the Hartford region have been given plenty of reasons to be aware, plan and prepare. From natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy and Winter Storm Nemo, to man-made disasters like the terrible school shooting in Newtown, it is clear that unexpected emergencies can and do happen in the region, and it is important that we take steps to prepare ourselves for these events. The good news is that more residents in the Hartford area are preparing every day. To date almost 1,500 of our emergency preparedness checklists have been downloaded! Have you downloaded yours yet? Here are a few essentials:
Disaster Supply Kit – Make sure you have all of the essentials in one place in case of an emergency.
Go Kit – In case of an emergency, you may have to evacuate suddenly. Check off all of your traveling essentials.
Pet Emergency Kit – Be sure you’ve thought of everything for your pets in case of an emergency.
Hazard Prep Checklists – Hurricanes, floods and winter storms. Learn what to do before, during and after each potential hazard in the area.
Functional Needs Checklists – For individuals with functional needs, some additional emergency planning may be necessary.
The Blizzard of 2013 buried cars and homes in up to three feet of snow – breaking snowfall records across Connecticut’s Capitol Region. The storm took out power from thousands of homes in the Capitol Region leaving many residents without heat in the cold of winter.
Preparedness efforts from stocking your pantry to trimming the trees outside pay off in situations like this. Some steps to consider as you prepare for the next winter storm:
Create a 72-Hour Disaster Kit – Be sure your kit is stocked and current. Do you have sufficient prescription and other medications? Do you have adequate working flashlights and batteries? Have you stored up water in clean containers, filled bathtubs and sinks?
Utilities – Know how to shut off your utilities and provide for safe generator power.
Information – Be sure to register for CTAlert and purchase a NOAA Weather Radio so you can stay informed about the weather situation.
Pets/Farm Animals – Prepare a pet emergency kit and be sure your pets and farm animals have a safe, warm place to go in case of emergencies.
Home and Yard – Trim trees and shrubbery around your house to avoid severe damage to your home. Be sure items in the yard are tied down or brought inside if necessary.
Download our Winter Storm Checklists – Download each checklist for “Before,” “During,” and “After” the storm to be sure you are taking the right precautions so you and your family can stay safe during the storm.
Thank You and Be Aware - Plan - Prepare!
Important Weather Update for 4/5/2013-4/9/2013 Dry and windy weather conditions have prompted a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish. Through next Tuesday, April 9, low humidity and wind gusts up to 30 mph are predicted and may bring elevated fire weather concerns. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or go to Weather.gov for more information.
FLU!!! The flu season is in full swing and you can help protect yourself and others! Dr. Koorse of the Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps has three words of wisdom - GET FLU SHOTS! This may be the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, and it's not too late. The Centers for Disease Control has a lot of good information about the flu, including the following preventive measures (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm); Check out this informative infographic about the dangers of the flu from OnlineEducation.net
What are other steps that can be taken to prevent flu illness? Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
Also, antiviral medications, which can treat flu illness, may be used in certain circumstances to prevent the flu. In the greater Hartford region little bits of intelligence about flu have been trickling in over the past few days. Long term care facilities are getting ready to run bed availability reporting to determine which facilities have limited admissions due to flu in the facility and to get a region wide picture should the situation require alternative methods for managing patient load. The Emergency Departments in some of the region's hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with people presenting with flu-like symptoms. To address this issue they have opened their Emergency Operations Centers and decided to institute visitor restrictions to: individuals 18 years or older, no one with symptoms as minor as a slight cold should enter the hospital, and children under 18 will be allowed to visit parents, only, who are hospitalized, with limited access within the hospital to the parent's room. BE AWARE, PLAN, PREPARE and GET THOSE FLU SHOTS!!!
Be Aware - Plan - Prepare!
This page will be updated seasonally so our our families and communities can prepare for the weather conditions ahead.
Winter in Connecticut can bring harsh, cold conditions that affect our health and travel. Be aware that our region can experience winter storms that can range from moderate snow falling over several hours to a blizzard that lasts several days.
Be aware that severe winter storms have the potential to cause significant property damage, injuries and fatalities.
That’s why it’s so important for everyone to plan and prepare. Plan what your family will do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. You should pick a place to meet if you’re in different locations, such as a friend or relatives’ house or shelter. Plan who will check on neighbors who may be elderly or have special needs. Prepare by winterizing your home. Make sure furnaces and fireplaces are working properly and you have enough heating fuel. And prepare by creating a winter storm kit for your home and car, including extra blankets, clothing and shovels. Visit the PREPARE, Hazard Prep Checklists page under Severe Winter Storms for winter checklists.
Be Aware, Plan, Prepare!
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