Disaster Preparation
updated: Oct 29, 2012, 10:07 AM

Source: Office of Emergency Management

Advisory: Wkly TEST. w/Hurr. Sandy, lrge pwr. outages. R U ready for several days with no power? w/earthqke there's no warning.

As we all watch the events unfolding on the East Coast, it should remind us of the need to prepare. While residents on the Eastern Seaboard wait for Hurricane Sandy, local emergency managers are reminding Santa Barbara County residents that an earthquake - not just here in Santa Barbara County - could cause the loss of power for several days. The southern portion and northern Santa Barbara County are at the end of their respective power grids. Catastrophic earthquakes in the LA Basin or towards the Bay Area, could affect the power supply to Santa Barbara County.

In 2006 extremely high winds in the Southern California area knocked out power for several days. The continued high winds kept repair crews from making needed power pole repairs. Learn more about what you need to do to prepare for power outages by visiting http://www.ready.gov/blackouts.

Remember the BASICS:

1. Have 1 gallon of water per person per day for about 5 days.

2. Have a hand-cranked radio to hear messages from local emergency officials.

3. Have about 5 days of food for each person and you pets.

4. Have a family plan! Talk to each other.

You should remember that ATMs won't work and gas stations won't have power for you to pump gas.

Contact Information:

Santa Barbara County Duty Officer

Office of Emergency Management

805-681-5526

oes_admin@countyofsb.org

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