Access Emergency Survival Handbook

Introduction

Protecting yourself and your family when disaster strikes requires planning before an emergency not during one. When a tornado, flood, hurricane or other disaster strikes your community, everyday conveniences may be cut off. The ability to cope without electricity, food and water requires planning and preparedness.

The people of Alabama know too well the need for disaster preparedness. From Hurricane Opal to South Alabama floods, and tragic tornadoes that have struck our state in recent years, people have faced tremendous hardships.

Millions of dollars in disaster funding from the Federal and State Emergency Management Agency have been provided to help individuals and local governments recover from these natural disasters.

Those of us in emergency management across Alabama are involved daily with planning, exercising and training efforts so that we will be better prepared when disaster strikes. Each of you can also assist us as we prepare to help others.

We hope you will take advantage of the information that is provided in this book so you and your family will be better prepared for the next emergency.

"Alabamians will be reassured by Edie Hand’s Preparedness Handbook and its easy-to-read recommendations on how to avoid disasters and what steps to take to keep out of harm’s way."