Pacific Crest Inspections Home inspections offering Disaster Preparation and Planning tips for Anacortes and Skagit County, Washington Snohomish, Whatcom and Island Counties

Preparing for the Disaster

Although we are accustom to seeing victims being rescued, the reality is that many citizens will be on their owns for several days. Fire fighters, Police, National Guard and Coast Guard will have their hands full for the first several days of the event. Your best bet is to be prepared to survive on your own for several days to a week.

Flooding

Many of the areas around us are surrounded by water primarily the Puget Sound and the Skagit River. Flooding in Anacortes, Oak Harbor, Burlington, Wa., Mount Vernon, Wa. and Skagit County may be localized or catastrophic. The Skagit River has reached flood stage 60 times in last 100 years and had 17 major floods. A weather system called the Pineapple Express can direct over 8" of rain into the Skagit River watershed. Water flowing down the Skagit would be over 200,000 cubic feet of water per second. The current dike system is only rated for 155,000 cubic feet per second. Most towns in the Skagit Watershed would be disaster zones. Even Anacortes and Whidbey Island would be affected. Anacortes's water plant would be flood and their only source of fresh water would be out of action. The two refineries would have to shutdown because they depend on Anacortes for fresh water.

It may be part of a brutal thunderstorm, sudden thaw or tsunami. Many floods arrive with advance warning so you can prepare. Weather forecasts will indicate that storms are on the way or that nearby rivers are rising because of a heavy run-off upstream. Depending on how much time you have, there are steps you can take to minimize damage.

Preparation tips

Use water-resistant building materials in areas below the base flood elevation.
Leave rooms unfinished that are below base flood elevation.
Install back-flow valves or standpipes on sewer lines to prevent back-up.
Raise, anchor or shield all equipment that is in an area below base flood elevation.
Install and maintain a sump pump system.
Use native plants and vegetation in your landscape to combat erosion.
Become familiar with the emergency flood plan for your area.
Prepare an emergency supplies kit including: three day water supply, three day supply of non-perishable food with manual can-opener, disposable plates, cups and utensils, first aid kit including prescription medications, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, personal hygiene items and any essential items for individual family members.
Have a five day supply of drinking water for each person

Safety tips

Using a battery-powered radio listen for emergency instructions.
Turn off the electricity and natural gas at the main valves.
Relocate papers, valuables and irreplaceable items to upper floors or higher elevations.
Sanitize bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with bleach and fill with clean water.
Tie down or relocate all outdoor equipment indoors.
Respond immediately when instructed to evacuate.
If the water starts to rise inside your home before you can leave, retreat to upper floors and if necessary to the roof - take dry clothing, flashlight and battery-powered radio. DON'T try to swim to safety, wait for help to arrive.
Don't drive or walk through floodwaters, find an alternate route if you come upon a flooded road. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else during a flood.
When walking, remember that as little as six inches of moving water can knock you down.
Watch for downed power lines, since electrocution is a major cause of death during a flood.
Be aware that snakes, rodents and other wild animals may seek shelter in your house during a flood.

FEMA - Avoiding Flood Damage checklist

Field Guide for Cleaning up homes after a flood

Skagit County Flood History

Winter Storms

Each year, weather-related damages cost property owners and renters billions of dollars. The most common damage results from plumbing problems (tubs, toilets, pipe breaks, showers), rain water, washing machines and frozen pipe breaks. By taking certain precautionary measures, and by following proper clean-up procedures, you may be able to lessen the severity of damage that may occur should a water-related problem present itself.

Preparation tips

Here are some steps you can take to help save your home from permanent water damage. A few precautions are:

When on vacation, shut off your water. This can help to reduce the chance of flooding from a washing machine hose or frozen pipe break.
Let faucets continuously drip during extremely cold weather to prevent pipes from bursting. Guidelines to prevent frozen pipes
Clean downspouts and gutters regularly to prevent roof damage from overflowing water.
At least once a year, inspect and replace worn fittings or loose hose connections on household appliances that use water.

Safety tips

Keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging due to retained water.
Avoid using electrical appliances that may have been damaged by fire, heat or water.
Do not use any electrical equipment/appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors.
Avoid using televisions and other electrical appliances while standing on wet floors, particularly if the floor is concrete.
If electricity is still on, do not enter rooms where standing water is present.

Earthquake

Unlike weather events, earthquakes strike without warning, sometimes leaving devastation and heartache behind. Usually, earthquakes in the U.S. occur along the West Coast. However, earthquake potential exists in all states. Although nothing can stop an earthquake, careful preparation and planning can make a difference when it comes to protecting your home and family from the effects of an earthquake.

Preparation tips

Develop an earthquake safety action plan for your family identifying places that can provide the highest amount of protection during an earthquake as well as an escape route and off-premises meeting place.
Become familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plan.
Teach family members how to shut off water, gas and electricity to the house.
Purchase at least one multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher.
Install smoke detectors and change the batteries every six months.
Prepare an emergency supplies kit including a three day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food, as well as a manual can opener, paper plates, cups, utensils, first-aid kit, flashlight and battery-operated radio with extra batteries.
Retrofit your home's structure to better withstand the forces of an earthquake. This is a job for a professional architect, engineer or building contractor.
Retrofit nonstructural areas of your home to protect your personal property.
Attach cabinets and bookcases to the wall using brackets.
Secure heavy objects (e.g. television, stereos, computers, armoires) with brackets or safety straps.
Secure picture frames, bulletin boards and mirrors to walls using closed eye screws into wall studs.
Secure ceiling lights to supports using safety cables.
Apply safety film to windows and glass doors.
Anchor large appliances (e.g. refrigerator, stove) to walls using safety cables or straps.
Install flexible gas lines and automatic gas shutoff valves.
Tack down glassware, heirlooms and figurines with putty.
Install latches on kitchen cabinet doors to prevent items from falling.

Recovery After the Disaster

Prepare.org

DISASTER Supply Kit

Every family should have a Disaster Supply Kit in its home. The kit will help you and your family during a disaster. In a hurricane or earthquake, for example, you might be without electricity and the water supply may be polluted. In a heavy winter storm or flood, you may not be able to leave your house for a few days.

When disasters like this happen, you will need to rely on yourself. Your disaster supply kit will make it easier. Remember, your family will probably never need to use your disaster supply kit, but it's always better to be prepared.

Storing water is one of the most important things you can do. In an emergency, pipes may be broken or the water contaminated. (Contaminated means it is not safe to drink.) Store water in plastic containers, like plastic soft drink bottles! Don’t use milk cartons or glass bottles. You should have a three-day supply of water.

You will need at least two quarts of water for each person in your house for each day. You will also need two quarts per person per day for cooking and hygiene (like brushing your teeth). That means you will need four quarts for each person - which is one whole gallon!

You need to multiply one gallon times the number of people in your house and then multiply that number by three to get the total gallons you'll need. Water can be bought in gallon or more containers from the local grocery but remember when disaster strikes that is one of the first areas cleaned out. Another strategy is buy collapsable containers and fill them when needed. This assumes that you have access to fresh water from a municipal system or well.

Remember if you get caught unprepared your water heater holds 40-50 gallons of water

You will need a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Non-perishable means food that can stay good for a long time without needing to be in the refrigerator. It is also good if the food doesn’t need to be cooked. Here are some suggestions:

Canned meats, fruits and vegetables

Canned juice, milk and soup

Sugar, salt and pepper

High energy foods, like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix

Vitamins

Fun foods, like cookies, hard candy, lollipops, instant coffee and tea

Special food for babies or older people

Everyone in your house should have a complete change of clothes and a pair of sturdy shoes or boots stored in the disaster kit. You should also have rain gear, thermal underwear and blankets or sleeping bags.

Most of these items you should already have in your first aid kit:

Sterile adhesive bandages of different sizes

Sterile gauze pads

Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

Triangular bandages

Scissors

Tweezers

Sewing needle

Moistened towelettes

Antiseptic

Thermometer

Tube of petroleum jelly

Safety pins

Soap

Latex gloves

Sunscreen

Aspirin or other pain reliever

Anti-diarrhea medicine

Antacid

Syrup of Ipecac

Laxative

Activated charcoal

This list is whittled to bare essentials for three days' survival at home. Many other items would certainly be nice, but for those on a strict budget, plan your gear around these core supplies. Any additional supplies can be added to suit personal taste and budget. Where quantities aren't noted, assume only one of this item is needed. Suggested amounts are for one person only, especially in the area of water consumption. The exception to this rule is the First Aid Kit. These medical items were planned with a small family in mind. A generator is a luxury for some and necessity for others. We recommend that it be run away from windows and doors and that gas be stored outside the home.

These 72-hour survival kits should be packed and kept in or close to your safe room. Preparation is merely good common sense.

The List

Camping Gear
First Aid Kit
Sleeping Bag, Bedroll, Swag or Thermal Blankets
Foam Pads to go under sleeping bag, bedroll, etc. especially for the elderly
Food and Water
Flashlight and extra batteries
Large blue tarp

Clothing
Complete change of comfortable clothing*
Current prescription glasses
Underwear, 2 sets: *The majority of people will need to consider seasonal changes. Every season, update your stored change of clothes for the appropriate weather conditions. For winter, if you are under a bio-chemical attack, furnaces and fireplaces should be blocked off and the interior heat may drop to a chilly temperature, include coats, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, snow boots and clothes for layering. For Summer, without air conditioning, you don't need heavy sweats and thermal undies!

Communication Items
Radio (hand cranked or battery powered; if battery, include extra batteries) or Weather Radio Cell phone (it might work)
Note pad Pencil, Pen Phone numbers and addresses of friends/family $200 in cash and change (during times of disaster, charge cards and checks can't be verified)*: *Money is always hard to tuck away and pretend it isn't there, but in this instance, it is a necessity. One can't assume to put expenditures on credit cards during a crisis. Think about it. Whenever you make a purchase, it is always verified by a telephoned authorization number. If phone lines are down and these numbers are not obtainable, chances are your purchase won't be allowed.

Latrine And General Hygiene
Liquid Bleach and Eyedropper (sprinkle in portable toilet to keep down bacteria and smell)
Sponge
Surgical Gloves, three pair (these are inexpensive and can be obtained in discount stores)
Toilet Paper, one roll per person
Trash Bags (three, for human waste and misc. rubbish)

Personal Hygiene
Body/Hand Lotion
Comb and Brush
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Liquid Soap for personal washing
Premoistened Towelettes
Tampons/Sanitary napkins
Toothbrush
Toothpaste

Infant Supplies (if applicable)
Baby Powder
Blanket, spare
Bottles, spare
Diapers, disposable
Formula
Lotion
Pre-Moistened Towelettes
Teething Ring
Toys

Miscellaneous
Bible
Book for Pleasure Reading
Deck of Playing Cards and Board Games
Fire Extinguisher
Multi-Purpose Tool with knife, pliers, screwdrivers
Swiss Army Knife
Large blue tarp or plywood and heavy nails

Pet Care (if applicable)
Food and Food Bowl
Toys or Chew Bone
Water and Water Bowl, one gallon (4 liters) per dog per day. For a cat, it is about 1 pint.*
Newspaper or litter box (some place pets can feel it is OK to use)

*(Even if it is a small animal, plan on the unexpected. SOMEBODY will undoubtedly spill their day's ration and the pet's water can be used in extreme emergency.)

Senior Care (if applicable)
Denture Care Items
Batteries, extra (for hearing aids)
Eye Glasses
Heart and/or Blood Pressure Medications
Oxygen, Portable (extra tanks and hoses if this is required)
Prescriptions
Special Dietary Items
Warmer Clothing (generally the elderly have trouble with poor circulation and get cold easier.

Disaster Document Kit

It is sensible to have all your family documents organized during the best of times; in certain times, you'll want to make it a priority. Use this checklist to assemble your documents and make sure they're all up-to-date. You may want to keep some documents in a safe deposit box, fire-proof safe or other secure location. If so, keep copies handy for easy access and take them with you in the even of a disaster.

The original documents should be stored in a fire proof or safety deposit box and you should keep copies in your disaster kit:

Medical

Health records for each family member, including one page for each person with a brief history of any major medical conditions or episodes, vaccination records, and doctor's contact information.
List of special needs for any family member (i.e. disability, pregnancy, allergy, etc.)
List of medication needed by family members
Health insurance information
Name and address of family dentist

Financial

Bank address and phone number (include all account numbers)
Retirement accounts name, address, phone numbers
Credit card numbers and expiration dates
Family
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce decrees
Passport
Citizenship papers
Adoption papers
Social Security Cards
Drivers Licenses

General Household

State and Federal Tax Records
Fire, Homeowners, and Renters insurance policies
Life insurance policies
U.S. Savings Bonds, stocks, securities, deeds and mortgages
Car title and registration
Automobile insurance
Last will and testament
Location of extra set of house and car keys
Names and descriptions of any pets
Veterinarian's name, address and phone number

For those who have the $$ but not the time, check out these sites for already assembled 72-hour packs. They vary in price and product, so compare their offerings:

B& A Products
COPE International-USA
Emergency Essentials
Epicenter, The
Emergency Supply Center, The
Justin Case Emergency Resource System
Survivor Industries
Tecfen Corporation
Walton Feed Inc.

LINKS

FEMA Homeland Security Met Life Red Cross Disaster Prep Red Cross Financial Recovery

Washington State Emergency Preparation Handbook Tsunami Awareness EMD Resources Page

Links

Categories

Communication | General Disaster Information | Medical | Pets and Animals | Reference Tools | Traffic | Utilities | Weather

Communication

Amateur Radio Reference Library
Callsign Look-ups, Training, Disaster Causes, Emergency Management, Search & Rescue, Ham Organizations, Activities, Equipment, and much more in this huge reference library of links.

Washington State ARES/RACES Web Site
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a volunteer radio communications service available to federal, state, county, and local government, as well as non-profit organizations. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a special phase of amateur operation sponsored by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, that provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies.

General Disaster Information
http://www.ready.gov
U.S Department of Homeland Security (27 agencies including FEMA provide information under this department)

The BIG List
A list of links to the best survival books compiled by David Lee

CREW
The Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) is a not-for-profit corporation of private and public representatives working together to reduce the effects of earthquakes in the Cascadia Region.

The Disaster Center
A commercial site which, in their words, "provides a platform for people to post information; provides coverage before, during, and after some of the larger disasters; and creates the largest index of linkages to disaster information by subject and by geographic area."

Emergency Management Gold
Web site to support the needs of the Emergency Management Community that was created by a Certified Emergency Manager for professionals. Has Emergency Response Team information resources and deployment tools. Response and recovery links for federal, state, and local emergency professionals. Global disaster alerts and status reports on global disasters.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA's main Web site with information on current disasters, disaster assistance and disaster preparedness.

FedWorld Information Network--Dialup/Telnet site
A comprehensive central access point for searching, locating, ordering and acquiring government and business information with links to numerous databases.

Fuel Accident Prevention & Response Team
Established in 1999 by Governor Locke to "evaluate our state's current status and make recommendations if shortcomings are revealed." Included are history, meetings, and final report and recommendations.

The Government Information Xchange
General information about the federal government with links to state and local government. You should be able to find what you're looking for with this thorough location tool.

Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder
The Natural Hazards Center, located at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA, is a national and international clearinghouse for information on natural hazards and human adjustments to hazards and disasters.

Seattle King County American Red Cross
Information about current disasters, classes, programs & services, volunteering, donations, chapter news, and the chapter store.

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Information
Information on Pacific Northwest earthquake activity and hazards from the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network (PNSN), which operates seismograph stations and locates earthquakes in Washington.

Public Schools Emergency Communications System (PSECS)
Provides a report of school schedule changes due to adverse weather conditions and other emergency situations for member school districts, colleges, and private schools. It is a service of the Puget Sound Educational Service District.

The Salvation Army
Christian organization offering disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for senior citizens, hospitals and medical facilities, shelters for battered wives and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services, and drug rehabilitation.

United States Environmental Protection Agency

University of Washington Geophysics Program
Offers quick links to Pacific Northwest earthquake information.

USGS National Earthquake Information Center
This US Federal agency collects, disseminates, and distributes earthquake information both nationally and internationally. They offer a database search, current earthquake and mining information, and other earthquake sources.

Washington State Department of Health - Public Health Fact Sheet - Floods
Addresses floods and power outages.

Washington State Emergency Management Division
The EMD "coordinates and facilitates resources to minimize the impacts of disasters and emergencies..." This site is full of essential information for preparedness and emergency operations at federal, state, and local levels.

Medical
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Includes announcements, data and statistics, health topic fact sheets, current health news and links to other health resources.

U.S. Government site for Pandemic and Avian Flu
The official source for the latest information regarding influenza issues.

Evergreen Healthcare
Health center with... "sophisticated surgical care, state-of-the-art cancer treatment and an award-winning maternity center offering a broad scope of healthcare services for you and your family."

Group Health Cooperative
Group Health is the largest consumer-governed health care organization in the nation.

healthfinder®
A gateway consumer health and human services information web site from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center
This eastside hospital located in Bellevue, WA is a volunteer governed, nonprofit, nontax supported community hospital that has a team of more than 1,800 employees and 650 physicians.

Pets and Animals
American Red Cross - Disaster Services - Pets and Disasters: Get Prepared
Disaster safety for pets prepared by the Humane Society of the United States in cooperation with the American Red Cross.

FEMA: Animals and Emergencies
Advice and resources available to help you prepare and respond to the emergency needs of your animals. Tips on how you can support organizations that care for animals in the wild or those that have been separated from their owners due to emergencies.

Reference Tools
Geologic Hazards
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Geology and Earth Resources Division, Geologic Hazards. This page addresses earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis, and coal mine subsidence and includes a link to the State DNR's home page.

Lake Washington Technical College
Located in Kirkland, Washington. LWTC provided the web design team that produced this web site for the Redmond Fire Department, City of Redmond, Washington.

The Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20540
(202) 707-5000

U.S. State & Local Gateway
An interagency project in collaboration with Vice President Al Gore's National Partnership for Reinventing Government which gives state and local government officials and employees easy access to federal information.

Washington State National Guard
Headquarters homepage includes links to Emergency Management, Family Support, Community Affairs and Locations of Units.

Traffic
Smart Trek
Traffic information source for the Puget Sound area.

Washington State Department of Transportation - Highway Closures
Road closure in the State of Washington and transportation information telephone numbers. Also included are links to other State DOT websites.

Utilities
Puget Sound Energy
The largest energy utility headquartered in Washington State, it provides electricity, natural gas and energy-related services to more than 1.3 million homes and businesses in communities of the greater Puget Sound Region and beyond.

Weather
National Weather Service - Seattle, Washington
Click map of Washington for current weather conditions. This site also includes warnings, climate, fire weather, spotter program, and weather radio information.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

If your pipes freeze Don't take chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)

Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

Pacific Crest Inspections is a locally owned home inspection company providing home inspections, commercial inspection and pest inspections in the Bellingham, Wa. area. Pacific Crest inspections is licensed by Washington State and carries the highest certification “Certified Real Estate Inspection” offered by the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) Pacific Crest Inspections conducts their Washington State home inspections according to the National Association of Home Inspectors Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics. These professional home inspection standards provide a minimum guideline for conducting a Bellingham, Washington home inspection. Our home inspection standards are available for viewing under the "Consumer Information" section of our website or ask your Arizona home inspector for a copy of the NAHI Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics prior to your Bellingham home inspection.