Hurricane and Emergency Survival Checklist

Good reminder list with Hurricane Florence potentially impacting so many people.

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

    Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
    Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
    Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
    Flashlight
    First aid kit
    Extra batteries
    Whistle to signal for help
    Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
    Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
    Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
    Manual can opener for food
    Local maps
    Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

    Prescription medications
    Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
    Glasses and contact lense solution
    Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
    Pet food and extra water for your pet
    Cash or traveler's checks
    Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
    Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
    Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
    Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
    Fire extinguisher
    Matches in a waterproof container
    Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Meltdown is Near as Third Explosion Rocks Sendai Plant

Radiation is spewing from damaged reactors at a crippled nuclear power plant in tsunami-ravaged northeastern Japan in a dramatic escalation of the four-day-old catastrophe.

Japan's prime minister Naoto Kan has warned residents to stay inside or risk getting radiation sickness following a fire at the at the number-four reactor at the quake-hit Fukushima No.1 atomic power plant.

A government spokesman said radiation emanating from the plant is high enough in nearby areas to damage health.

Radiation levels have risen considerably, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said.

In a televisised press conference this afternoon, Kan told people within 30 kilometres of the troubled nuclear power plant to stay indoors.  Another evacuation may have to take place.

Japanese officials who have said for sometime that the problem was contained are now changing their tone a little. 

Workers were earlier evacuated from the number-two reactor plant.

'‘We have moved our staff to a safer area,’’ the TEPCO spokesman said this morning.

An official from Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said ‘‘that workers near the reactor No.2, excluding those who are pumping water to cool the reactor, have been evacuated.’’