What Would You Do?

By Karin Riedel, Hilo IL Specialist

July 6, 2021

Our June InterIsland Zoom group was all about what we would do in a natural disaster and how we can best prepare.

We started off with a fun, interactive after-hurricane scenario where we brought our community resiliency to the test: Unprepared folks found themselves struggling in the aftermaths facing empty shelves at the stores and at the mercy of those who had emergency supplies prepared before the disaster hit. We soon realized how our resources stretched thin when having to share. But we also found out that we had incredibly skilled and resourceful people in our neighborhood, like a retired nurse and someone with a trailer, who could help out until emergency responders could get to us.

Do you live in a Tsunami Zone? Or below a Water Reservoir or close to a stream? Do you have a plan on where to go? Here are helpful maps to check your area:

https://dams.hawaii.gov/Default.aspx?qt=damall

https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/public-resources/tsunami-evacuation-zone/

We all finished off with a pledge to prepare at least one thing until next month. To build a more resilient community, attendees committed to great ideas like purchasing a solar-generated emergency radio, getting an emergency kit ready to go, storing enough water in separate rooms, gathering all important documents in one ready to go fireproof folder, getting signed up with the Civil Defense emergency notification system, and making sure gas for the house and car are filled up at all times.

If you are interested in our Peer Support Groups or would need additional assistance to prepare for emergencies, please call our office at 808-339-7297. Stay safe!