Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force evacuations from neighborhoods or cause people to be confined to their homes. Basic services, such as water, gas, electricity and phones can be cut off. Both natural and technological disasters can leave families homeless, without food and water, and other necessities. While there are many physical hazards associated with disasters, there are also the emotional effects of losing a loved one, a home or treasured possessions. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to post-disaster psychological effects.

Goal

• Help communities, families and individuals be prepared for emergencies.
• Expand collaborative efforts at the county level among local disaster response and emergency preparedness agencies and organizations and the county Extension office.
• Improve the safety of childcare facilities by teaching childcare providers how to take action to minimize the physical impact of disasters and know how to respond to the different types of disasters that could occur.
• Providing parents and caregivers strategies to help children cope with violence and terrorism, stress, death and loss.

The Journal of Extension article True Colors Shining Through: Cooperative Extension Strengths in Time of Disaster shares insights and lessons learned from Cooperative Extension Services provided during a time of disaster response and recovery.

Information on Disasters

Earthquakes/Terremotos

• Earthquakes - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/earthspn.html)
• Earthquakes - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • en español (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/espanol/)
• Earthquake - NorthWest Cable News
  • Two Interactive Quizzes let you see how much you know about earthquakes.

Floods/Inundaciones

• Are You Ready for a Flood or a Flash Flood? - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/floodspn.html)
• Floods - CDC
  • en español (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/espanol/)

Heat Waves/Calor extremo

• Are You Ready for a Heat Wave? - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/heatwspn.html)
• Extreme Heat - CDC
  • en español (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/espanol/)

Power Outages/Cortes inesperados de la electricidad

• Blackouts - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/arc1098s.pdf)
• Power Outages - CDC
  • en español (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/poweroutage/espanol/)
• Exercise Caution When Using Generators For Emergency Power - Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Center
• Using Generators for Emergency Power - LSU Ag Center

Terrorism/Terrorismo

• American Red Cross/CDC Preparedness Today
  • en español ~ Cruz Roja Americana/Cntros para el Controly la Prevencion de Enfermedades A prepararse hoy
• Terrorism Preparing for the Unexpected - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/terrorSP.html)
• CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/)
• UT Extension Publications - Biosecurity & Disaster Management

Thunderstorms/Tempestades de truenos

• Are You Ready for a Thunderstorm? - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/thundspn.html)
• Thunderstorms. . . Tornadoes. . . Lightning. . . Nature's Most Violent Storms; A Preparedness Guide - NOAA
• Lightning-Learn to Protect Yourself - Electrical Safety Foundation International
• ESFI, LPI Urge Awareness of Lightning Safety - Electrical Safety Foundation International

Tornadoes/Tornados

• Are You Ready for a Tornado? - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/tornaspn.html)
• Tornadoes - CDC
  • en español (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/espanol)
• Thunderstorms. . . Tornadoes. . . Lightning. . . Nature's Most Violent Storms; A Preparedness Guide - NOAA

Winter Storms/Tormentas Del Invierno

• Winter Storm - American Red Cross
  • en español (http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/wintrspn.html)
• Winter Weather - CDC

For more information about the UT Extension Health & Safety programs, please contact your local County Extension Representative.

State Contact

Martha Keel, PhD
Professor & Extension Housing & Environmental Health Specialist,
University of Tennessee Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
119 Morgan Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-4501
Telephone: (865) 974-8197
Fax: (865) 974-5370
E-mail: mkeel@utk.edu