Several items laid out on a table related to being prepared.
Being prepared means getting together items like food, water and other supplies to last at least 72 hours after a disaster. Most items commonly recommended for an emergency kit are inexpensive and easy to find.  Credit: Choctaw Nation photo

There’s no time of year when the potential for disaster to strike is not present.

At the beginning and end of every year, winter storms with heavy snow, ice, and high winds blow through. 

Tornadoes and severe weather can strike in the spring and early summer. 

Wildfires often occur in the dry summer months, and hurricanes are typically in the late summer and fall.

The Choctaw Nation wants tribal members to be prepared for these disasters and has some tips on how to get ready. The First 72 on You campaign is meant to bring awareness and preparedness so that they can get through the first three days before help may arrive.

Choctaw Nation Emergency Management Coordinator and meteorologist, Chris Nunley, Ph.D., says, “The campaign is to make our tribal citizens, and really everybody in Southeastern Oklahoma, more resilient to withstand the impacts of a natural disaster or a disaster in general.”

The first step in preparing for disaster is familiarizing yourself with what might happen where you live.

Be prepared at home, at the office and in the car.

Next, taking the time to put together an emergency kit ahead of time is important.

Nunley says when disaster strikes, you probably won’t be thinking clearly and won’t have the time to assemble everything from different spots in the house.

There are several different ways to put a kit together. One common item used to store an emergency kit is a hard-sided tote. Backpacks are also popular, especially for one or two people. Nunley likes to recommend a suitcase.

“I feel like an old suitcase that has wheels is a really good storage area. You can just put everything in there, and then you’re able to grab it and go whenever you’re asked to,” Nunley said.

Being able to grab it and go quickly is particularly important for elders who may not be able to pick up a heavy tote or carry a backpack.

The list of what you need to have ready should be personalized to specific needs.

When putting your kit together, it’s also important to consider pets. 

“You also want to make sure that you have canned food or even dry food in a Ziploc bag for your pets,” said Nunley. “You want to make sure that you have a leash and collar for your pet.”

When it comes to what to put in a kit first, Nunley’s top five items are medication, water, food, a flashlight and a NOAA Weather Radio. Everybody can follow some basic guidelines to put their emergency kit together.

Nunley recommends going through a kit every year to make sure nothing has expired or needs to be replaced. Choosing items for the kit that are less perishable is important. Lithium batteries will typically have a longer shelf life than alkaline batteries, and canned foods should be able to last a whole year before needing to be taken out and put in new ones.

BASIC ESSENTIALS

  • Water (at least 3 days of water, 1 gallon per person/pet)
  • Non-perishable food (at least 3 days)
  • Can Opener
  • Extra cell phone battery or charger
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Prescription medication & glasses
  • Important family documents

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Whistle
  • Matches
  • Clothing
  • Battery Operated/Crank Radio
  • Pet Items
  • Map of Area
  • Items Specific to family members

PET SUPPLY LIST

  • Food
  • Water
  • Medicine
  • First Aid Kit
  • Collar with ID tag
  • Leash
  • Travel bag, crate, or sturdy carrier
  • Sanitation needs (pet litter and litter box)
  • A picture of you and your pet (in case you become separated)
  • Familiar items (favorite toy, treats, or bedding)

Ready.gov offers some important do’s and don’ts when it comes to emergency food.

Things to do:

  • Keep food in covered containers.
  • Keep cooking and eating utensils clean.
  • Throw away any food that has come into contact with contaminated flood water.
  • Throw away any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more.
  • Throw away any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
  • Use ready-to-feed formula. If you must mix infant formula, use bottled water or boiled water as a last resort.

Things to not do:

  • Do not eat foods from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, even though the product may look safe
    to eat.
  • Do not eat any food that looks or smells abnormal, even if the can looks normal.
  • Do not let garbage accumulate inside, both for fire and sanitation reasons.

The Choctaw Nation is quick to respond to assist people during disasters in Southeast Oklahoma, but it can’t be everywhere at once.

“It’s best if they’re able to survive on their own for the first three days or first 72 hours after a disaster,” said Nunley.

There’s also a large portion of the tribal members who don’t live on the reservation. Nunley says it’s important they’re informed too. 

“Even though we’ve rolled it out here in southeastern Oklahoma, it’s not confined to just the Reservation, said Nunley. “We want all of our citizens of the Choctaw Nation to be prepared and to be more resilient to natural disasters.”

Emergency preparedness is important for minimizing losses, saving lives, and ensuring recovery during and after