Mercer Island Emergency Management

09/30/2026

Today! Join us at one of our two Emergency Preparedness Workshops today at 1:30pm and 5:30pm at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center - Room 104.

Have you ever wondered what you would do when a major disaster strikes? Yes, when. The reality is that it's not a matter of if a disaster will happen, but *when* it will happen.

Join us on Wednesday, September 30 for an Emergency Preparedness Workshop and become equipped with important preparedness information and planning tools. Topics we will cover:

• Understanding local hazards and their impacts
• Planning for emergencies at home & work
• Items to include in a disaster kit
• Creating a family emergency plan
• Preparing together with your neighbors
• Steps to stay safe during a disaster

Mercer Island Emergency Management is offering two sessions – 1:30pm and 5:30pm on September 30. Both will cover the same information. Make sure to reserve your seat today and get the tools you need to make sure your family is ready for the next big one.

Register at https://mercerisland.gov/prepworkshop

09/25/2026

How well do you know your neighbors? Do you know who you would you reach out to if you need help during or after a disaster? Is there anyone in your neighborhood who might need a little extra help during an emergency?

Think about these questions - do any of your immediate neighbors come to mind? If not, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to know your neighbors!

While it might sound intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. We offer a free program called Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) to help you get to know your neighbors.

The MYN program facilitates a discussion to help organize neighborhoods and give neighbors a chance to get to know each other as well as provides information on the steps to take after disaster strikes. All you have to do is invite them and host a gathering.

Learn more and get started today at https://www.mercerisland.gov/myn

09/22/2026

Did you know… In an emergency, first responders and City resources will likely be delayed or stretched thin. That means neighbors will be among your first sources of help.

Getting to know the people in your neighborhood and building trust before a disaster will help build a more resilient Mercer Island.

In fact, post-disaster studies have shown that individuals and communities with strong neighborly ties have higher survival rates and faster recoveries after a disaster.

Here are a few tips and tools to help you do just that:

🤝 Meet your neighbors. Introduce yourself, start a neighborhood group chat, or choose a trusted neighbor as an emergency contact.

⚕️👩‍⚕️ Share skills and resources. Learn who nearby can help with things like first aid, tools, generators, or other emergency needs—and share what you can offer.

‍🍼 🐱🧑‍🦽 Know who depends on you—and who you depend on. Identify neighbors who may need extra help with pets, childcare, mobility, or living alone, and build relationships before help is urgently needed.

09/18/2026

In addition to having supplies to be self-sufficient for 2-weeks, everyone needs a grab-and-go emergency kit packed with essential items for three days. Your Go Bag should include:

➖ Water and nonperishable food
➖ Flashlight
➖ Extra clothes
➖ Hygiene kit
➖ First aid and medications
➖ Comfort kit
➖ Important documents
➖ Map
➖ Cash (small bills)

Other items to consider including in your Go Bag:
➖ Emergency blanket
➖ Small battery pack to charge cell phones or other devices
➖ NOAA Radio

Pro Tips:
🎒 Prepare a Go Bag for your pets.
🎒 Keep Go Bags at work, school and in the car.

Bonus:
Since it is National Preparedness Month, you can easily find many of these items at your local box store. Pictures were taken this month and are just a few examples - many stores feature preparedness items throughout National Preparedness Month. Plus, the end of camping season may mean discounts on camping items that would be useful in your kit! ⛺ 🥾

Join us at one of our Emergency Preparedness Workshops on September 30 to see the items we included in a kit we built for $100: https://www.mercerisland.gov/prepworkshop

09/15/2026

All Islanders should be prepared to be self-sufficient for two-weeks. Keep a two-week store of:

✔️ Food (non-perishable)
✔️ Water (1 gallon of water per person, per day)
✔️ Medications, medical equipment, and glasses/eye care
✔️ Flashlights
✔️ Extra batteries
✔️ NOAA alert radio
✔️ First aid kit
✔️ Tools
✔️ Fire extinguisher
✔️ Pet supplies
✔️ Personal hygiene supplies
✔️ Toilet paper
✔️ Warm clothes
✔️ Cash

Disasters can strike in the wintertime, so it is important to prepare alternative heating and cooking methods. Keep those supplies with your kit in safe location.

Pro Tip:
Your family will have many of these supplies on hand, but the key will be to gather these items in one place. The last thing anyone wants to do is hunt for things in the dark when disaster strikes. Keep your two-week emergency supply in plastic totes or a clean garbage can with a lid in an easy to access location.

09/14/2026

Customize both your family’s emergency plan and supplies based on your households’ specific needs. Things to take into consideration:

➖ Age range of your household (including needs of school-aged children or older adults)
➖ Dietary needs
➖ Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
➖ Disabilities, access, and/or functional needs including devices and equipment
➖ Languages spoken
➖ Pets or service animals

Pro Tips:
✔️ Keep school, daycare, workplace, and medical clinic emergency plans and information in your family emergency plan.
✔️ Think about daily or regular needs (ex. access to medical facilities, drugstores, accessible transportation, etc.) and make a plan for times you may not have access to them.
✔️ Keep a contact list of the closest medical facilities, hospitals, veterinary clinics, and accessible transportation.
✔️ Identify a secondary or fallback shelter plan. This could be as simple as a camping tent or staying with neighbors.

09/10/2026

Washington is no stranger to disasters. In the last three years, the state has seen windstorms that have caused weeklong power outages, devastating flooding and landslides, and lifechanging fires.

It is essential that all Islanders have a family emergency plan that details what everyone will do when disaster strikes. Your family emergency plan should include:

🟠 Gathering Point: A pre-identified location where everyone will meet up after a disaster.
🟠 Out-of-Town Contact: A single point, out-of-town contact – the person everyone knows to contact after a major disaster.
🟠 Contact Information: The plan should include important numbers and information, like doctors names and phone numbers, medical insurance and policy numbers, and more.
🟠 Copies of Important Documents: Keep copies of important documents with your plan or on a USB drive in your emergency kit. Documents should include birth certificates and other ID documentation (social security cards, passports), bank information, property records/deeds, vehicle titles, prescriptions, photos, insurance policy

Whether your family is one or two people strong, or five, ten, or more - you need a family emergency plan. You may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to create and document your plan now.

09/03/2026

Would you be prepared if disaster were to strike tomorrow? September is National Preparedness Month and we are here with tips, information, and training opportunities to help Mercer Island prepare for emergencies and disasters.

The first step to preparing is understanding the hazards the community might face. Here in Mercer Island and the greater Western Washington area, there are a number of hazards that could disrupt daily life for a few hours, days, weeks, or even months. Those include:

➖ Earthquake
➖ Volcano
➖ Power outage
➖ Landslide
➖ Severe weather – extreme heat, cold, and snow
➖ Wildfire
➖ Storms and flooding
➖ Critical infrastructure failure

There are also manmade hazards like chemical or hazardous materials spills, acts of violence, and cyberattacks that could affect single neighborhoods or entire regions.

Island residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to join us at one of our upcoming Preparedness Workshops on September 30 to learn more about these hazards and how to prepare for them: https://www.mercerisland.gov/prepworkshop

09/02/2026

The first fall-like system of the season is already here. 🍃Breezy conditions will pick up throughout the day today and may cause downed branches and isolated power outages.

Now, and as we head into rain and wind season, it would be good to get back in the habit of:
➖Keeping phones and essential devices charged
➖Securing outdoor furniture and loose items
➖Keeping your gas tank at least half full and EVs charged
➖Restocking your emergency supplies and rotating out old batteries, medications, and food

Remember, if the power goes out:
✅ Eat perishable foods first
✅ Unplug electronics to help prevent surge damage
🚫Never use a generator inside a home, basement, or garage
🚫Never use a stove, oven, or grill to heat your home

Stay informed, use caution when traveling, and be prepared for changing conditions.