Be Ready for Emergencies this Winter
COUNTY OF INYO | EMERGENCY SERVICES
When there is a fire, flood, or other emergency, how will you receive official alerts?
What is your evacuation route, and where will you meet up with others if the power is out or cell towers are down?
Do you have a go-bag or kit outfitted with needed survival supplies?
If you have large animals or family members with access and functional needs, are you ready to move earlier than everyone else?
If you answered “I don’t know” to any of these questions, it’s time to check in with your plan.
Here in the Eastern Sierra, we know that we live in the land of extremes and anomalies. We know winter is often our peak fire season, with extremely dry vegetation that ignites quickly and moves exceptionally fast with cold down-canyon winds – sometimes at hurricane-force speeds.
Sudden thunderstorms cause flash-foods and wipe out access roads you need to get to safety.
With these two top hazards in mind for winter in Inyo County, we must take the necessary steps to prepare ourselves and save lives. Do your part to be ready, so when it comes time to heed evacuation orders from Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, you are less panicked and can move faster to get out of harm’s way.
Do these 3 things:
- Register for Alerts:
- Genasys: https://inyo.genasys.com/portal/en
- Access and Functional Needs database: https://ready.inyocounty.us/pages/afn
- Discuss a plan with your household and write it down. Share with your other emergency contacts so they know your plan.
- Build a kit and update it seasonally so you can be ready for appropriate weather conditions and check medication viability.
There are many more things you can do to prepare for emergencies, but this is the bare minimum to start. Feel free to peruse the Ready Inyo website for more helpful information, like the “Data Hub” with real-time info on weather, air quality, road closures, and fire activity.
Need help or have any questions? Call the Inyo County Office of Emergency Management at (760) 878-0120 or email at ready@inyocounty.us
