Be Aware
Below is a list of common natural disasters. Natural disasters are emergencies caused by natural events, such as storms.
Blackout (Power Outage)
Disaster definition: When electricity in an area such as a city or a town does not work. This can affect a lot of people, and can last for a short amount of time, or for weeks. This may happen if power-lines get covered in a lot of heavy snow, of if power lines fall or break due to strong winds, during snowstorms, hurricanes, or during thunderstorms.
What can happen during this type of disaster? You might stay in the dark without power for a short time like a few hours or for a day or more. The heat can stop and your stove can not work.
What can I do? Do not use fire or candles to light your home. Use a flashlight and keep extra batteries in a place you can find easily, even in the dark. Listen to a battery operated radio to get news about when power may be restored (turned back on). Make sure you have warm clothes and blankets, and enough water and food supplies.
Blizzard (winter storm)
Disaster definition: In Massachusetts, it snows often during the winter months (Dec- March) and sometimes for more than one or two days. Winter storms can also bring strong winds, ice and freezing temperatures.
What can happen during this type of disaster? Roads may be slippery and make driving dangerous. Sidewalks and streets may have too much snow to walk safely on. The Governor of MA may require buses and trains to stop if it gets too dangerous. Heavy snow or ice on trees and power lines may cause power outages, no heat, or roof collapse.
What can I do?Have enough food, warm clothes and blankets, and other supplies at home in case the power or heat goes out. Drive only if necessary and if you have been advised that it is safe. Do not use gas stoves to heat your home and do not use generators inside; this can cause serious injury, fire, or death.
Earthquake
Disaster definition: A natural disaster where the ground shakes quickly and often with a lot of force.
What can happen during this type of disaster?Severe earthquakes can destroy houses, buildings. Earthquakes can cause harm and death, specifically if a person is injured due to falling debris.
What can I do?If you are outside, stay away from buildings and any other structures that can fall and injure you. If you are in a moving car, stop when it is safe to do so, and stay away from trees or any structures that can fall on you or your vehicle. If you are inside, stay away from windows and anything that can fall and injure you. Be careful to keep cover your head.
Flood
Disaster definition: A large amount of water that can damage property or make roads difficult or dangerous to drive. Floods can happen after heavy rains, or after large amounts of snow and ice melting.
What can happen during this type of disaster? Water can enter your home or cover cars and roads. Roads can be closed. Floods can also damage buildings and cause cars, trains, and buses to stop working.
What can I do? If there is a very heavy rainstorm, watch the news for a flood warning and wait for any evacuation news in case of severe flooding. Do not drive in a flooded area. If you are outside, go to higher land. If you are in a building in a flooded area, go to the highest floor of the building or home.
Hurricane
Disaster definition: A severe tropical storm with thunder, rain, and strong wind.
What can happen during this type of disaster? Strong winds, or items such as trash or other debris may fly in the winds. Your electricity may go out or there may be lots of water (flooding).
What can I do? Have a “kit” with canned food, a can opener, and other supplies such as batteries, a flashlight, candles, matches, or other important things if it is necessary for you to stay indoors. Listen to radio or TV for emergency information. Call someone you know or one of the emergency numbers given in this guide.
Thunderstorm
Disaster definition: Weather that produces lightning and has the potential to produce associated dangers such as tornadoes, destructive winds, hail, and flash flooding.
What can happen during this type of disaster? They produce loud roars, lightning, and heavy rain, and have the potential to produce similar dangerous results like tornadoes, destructive winds, hail, and flash flooding.
What can I do? Do not go out if there is a thunderstorm. If you are outside, go inside the closest building. If you are on open land, go inside your car or to lower land, and stay away from water areas like rivers, seas, and oceans.
Tornado
Disaster definition: These are strong storms that have clouds that rotate or move around in circles. The winds from these storms are very strong and can be devastating.
What can happen during this type of disaster? Tornadoes can cause deaths and can destroy homes, buildings and other large areas in very short periods of time.
What can I do? When you are inside, go to the basement or the lowest part of the house or building. Stay away from windows. Do not open doors and windows. If you are outside, try to get into a building, a firm shelter.
Wildfire
Disaster definition: A type of fire that often begins unnoticed. They are usually triggered by lightning or accidents. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes.
What can happen during this type of disaster? Large areas like forests, bushes, and wood houses are burning on fire. The fire is spreading quickly. Burning trees may fall down. Water nearby the fire may be contaminated and not good to drink or wash dishes.
What can I do? Do not make any type of fire inside or outside to warm yourself in the winter. Do not put plastic, paper bags, or any other items that can catch fire close to stoves. If you are outside during a wildfire, move away from the area. Follow police orders if told to leave the area or your home (evacuation).
Below is a list of man-made disasters. Man-made disasters are emergencies caused by people or groups of people.
Hazardous Materials Spill
Disaster definition: Chemical materials which are naturally explosive, flammable and combustible, poisonous, and radioactive. Such materials can cause a potential risk to life, health, and property if they are released.
What can happen during this type of disaster? These materials are shipped daily on highways, trains, ships and pipelines. They can be risky and explode if they leak from the tanks or catch fire during their use, production, storage, or transportation.
What can I do? Have a personal emergency contact list. Listen to sirens, radio and TV for instructions or contact someone from your emergency contact list. If you are at risk, call 911.
Nuclear Emergency
Disaster definition: There are several nuclear power plants in or near Massachusetts. If an emergency occurred at one of them, they can put residents at severe danger. These plants are where electric power is generated.
What can happen during this type of disaster? You may hear loud and special sounds of a siren or horn. The emergency can sometimes be controlled. Or, you may need to leave your house and go to a specific place officials may tell you.
What can I do? If you hear Emergency Sirens/Horns, you should listen to radio and TV and do what the emergency officials say. Call people you know to learn more about what is going on. If local authorities tell you to evacuate and go to specific places or shelters, please do so.
Terrorism
Disaster definition: It is when violence or fear is used by one or more people to intimidate individuals, societies, or governments. People who commit terrorism are called terrorists.
What can happen during this type of disaster? There can be unknown attacks, assassinations, or kidnappings of people. Also, there can be severe destruction due to small or large explosions.
What can I do? We cannot often expect terrorism. While the U.S. government works hard to keep U.S. residents safe and healthy, it is always important to keep our eyes open and be aware of such potential activity. Always be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended.
For more information about disasters and staying safe, visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed and www.mass.gov/mema
Be Prepared
Find information on how to make an emergency kit. An emergency kit helps keep you safe during an emergency.
Make an Emergency Kit
Many kits have items that are common and easy to get. You can decide what should be in your kit for you and your family. A basic emergency supply kit could include the following items:
- Water, 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, for drinking and cleaning and brushing teeth
- Food, at least a 3-day supply of canned food
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit (with medicine or medical supplies)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (gas or other utilities for safety)
- Can opener for food (manual, not electric)
After you gather the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you can add the items listed below:
- Medicine, medical supplies and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler's checks and change
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Warm blankets for each person
- Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes
- Household bleach and a medicine dropper – When diluted, 9 parts water to 1 part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Be Informed
Find information about people or organizations that can help you during an emergency.
- When you face a dangerous emergency situation wherever you are in United States: Call Police, Fire, Ambulance at 911
- When you need information about critical health and human services available in your community, such as government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources: Call Massachusetts 211 at 211
- If you would like to learn more about protecting yourself against terrorism, or, if you have to tell police about a suspicious terrorist activity: Call Massachusetts Terrorism Tip Line at 1-888-872-5458
- If you think someone has been poisoned. The poison control center has interpreters for many languages:Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222
You should also have a list of personal emergency contacts. These can be your family members, friends, neighbors, community center, doctor, or case worker.
Websites
Visit the following websites to learn how to stay safe during emergencies:
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency: www.mass.gov/mema/ready
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/dph/ready
- Mass211: www.mass211.org
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.ready.gov
If you have questions that are not answered on the websites above, contact one of the refugee and immigrant service agencies listed below. Choose the agency closest to where you live:
- International Institute of New England (Boston): 2 Boylston, St 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116 |Phone: (617) 695-9990
- International Institute of New England (Lowell): 101 Jackson, St Suite 2, Lowell, MA 01852|Phone: (978) 459-9031
- Catholic Charities of Boston: 275 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02210 |Phone: (617) 464-9100
- Jewish Family Services of Western Mass (Springfield): 15 Lenox St, Springfield, MA 01108|Phone: (413) 737-2601
- Jewish Family Services of Metro West (Framingham): 475 Franklin St, Suite 101, Framingham, MA 01702|Phone: (508) 875-3100
- Ascentria Social Services of Western Mass (West Springfield): 425 Union St, Springfield, MA 01089|Phone: (413) 787-0725
- Ascentria Social Services of Worcester: 11 Shattuck Street, Suite R, Worcester, MA 01605|Phone: (508) 754-1121
- Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Center of Boston: 253 Roxbury Ave, Boston, MA 02119|Phone: (617) 238-2430
Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (Worcester): 51 Gage St, Worcester, MA 01605|Phone: (508) 595-8695