Clay County Long Term Recovery

10/06/2026

Congratulations Sue Adams you are the winner of our preparedness kit giveaway. We will be in contact soon!!

09/25/2026

❤️ True resilience starts with community.

In the immediate hours following a disaster, neighbors are almost always the first on the scene to help one another before emergency services arrive.

Take a moment this weekend to connect with the people on your block:
👵 Check in on elderly neighbors or individuals with mobility challenges.
👶 Touch base with families who have infants or young children.
🤝 Exchange phone numbers so you can verify everyone is safe when severe weather hits.

Knowing who has a generator, who has a chainsaw, and who needs a helping hand makes the whole neighborhood stronger.

❓ Action Question: Have you exchanged emergency contact numbers with at least one neighbor on your block?

09/25/2026

🌊 It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock an adult down, and just 12 inches to carry away a small car or SUV.

Water covering a road is often much deeper and moving much faster than it appears. The roadbed beneath the surface may already be washed out completely.

⚠️ Key Reminders:
• Never drive around barricades—they are placed there for your safety.
• Never drive or walk through standing or rushing floodwaters.
• If your vehicle stalls in rising water, abandon it safely and move to higher ground immediately.

Whenever you encounter flooded roads: Turn Around, Don’t Drown! 🛑

💬 Action Question: What local intersection or low-lying road in our area tends to flood first when heavy rains hit? Help warn others in the comments!

09/25/2026

🧊 When the electricity goes out, how long does the food in your kitchen stay safe?

Opening the refrigerator door lets precious cold air escape. Protect your groceries and prevent foodborne illnesses during power interruptions with these guidelines:

⏱️ Cold Storage Limits:
• Refrigerator (Doors Kept Shut): Keeps food safely chilled for approximately 4 hours.
• Full Freezer (Doors Kept Shut): Maintains freezing temperatures for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full).
• The Golden Rule: When in doubt, throw it out! Never taste food to check if it has spoiled.
• Discard meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers that have been above 40°F for more than 2 hours.

❓ Action Question: Do you have an appliance thermometer inside your fridge and freezer so you can verify temperatures after power returns?

09/24/2026

🚨 Working alarms buy the precious seconds your family needs to escape safely.

Roughly 3 out of 5 home fire deaths occur in homes with non-functioning smoke alarms or no alarms at all. Adding Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms protects your family from the silent, invisible gas generated by furnaces, stoves, and generators.

🔔 Quick Safety Audit:
• Install smoke detectors inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.
• Press the test button monthly to hear the audible siren.
• Replace standard 9V batteries at least once a year.
• Smoke alarm sensors degrade over time—replace entire units every 10 years!

❓ Action Question: When was the last time you pushed the "test" button on your home smoke and CO alarms to make sure the sirens work?

#𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖸𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒

09/24/2026

🌧️ Don't wait for a torrential downpour to discover your sump pump has failed!

Heavy rains and rapidly rising water tables can overwhelm basements in minutes if drainage systems aren't functioning properly.

🧰 Simple Sump Pump Check:
Pour a bucket of water slowly into your sump pit to ensure the float switch rises and activates the pump.
Step outside to confirm water discharges smoothly away from your home's foundation.
Clean debris or gravel out of the basin.
Critical: Severe storms frequently knock out power. Consider installing a dedicated battery-backup pump so your basement stays dry when the grid goes dark!
❓ Action Question: Does your home have a sump pump, and do you have a battery backup system attached to it?

Send a message to learn more

09/24/2026

🛠️ Mitigation: Small investments of time today prevent major damage tomorrow.

Protecting your home against high winds, severe storms, and heavy rain doesn't always require expensive renovations:

🍂 Clear Gutters & Downspouts: Keep water flowing away from your foundation to prevent basement seepage.
🌳 Trim Overhanging Branches: Remove dead or weak tree limbs near roofs and power lines.
🔧 Know Your Shut-Off Valves: Make sure every adult and teen in the house knows how to locate and shut off the main water valve, gas line, and electrical breaker in an emergency.
🛋️ Secure Outdoor Gear: High winds turn patio chairs, grills, and trampolines into dangerous projectiles. Have a plan to tie them down or bring them inside.

❓ Action Question: Does everyone in your home know where the main water shut-off valve is located? Take a minute tonight to show them!

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2026

After a flood, fire, or severe storm, having quick access to your vital documents can dramatically speed up insurance claims and recovery assistance. 📂

Take an afternoon to gather and safeguard your most critical paperwork:

📄 What to Collect:
• Government IDs (driver's licenses, passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards)
• Home, auto, and flood insurance policy numbers and agent contact info
• Property deeds, vehicle titles, and lease agreements
• Medical records, immunization histories, and prescription lists
• Financial account numbers and emergency contact lists

🔒 How to Protect Them:
Store paper copies in a waterproof, fire-resistant lockbox or portable pouch you can grab quickly.
Save digital scans to a secure, password-protected USB flash drive or encrypted cloud storage.

❓ Action Question: Do you keep digital copies of your critical documents backed up securely, or are you still relying solely on paper files?

09/11/2026

♿ Preparedness must work for every member of our community.

If you or someone in your home lives with a disability, mobility challenge, chronic medical condition, or relies on electrical medical devices, tailoring your emergency plan ahead of time is vital.

📋 Specialized Kit Considerations:
• Extra batteries/chargers for wheelchairs, scooters, and hearing devices
• A portable cooler and ice packs for temperature-sensitive medications (like insulin)
• A written list of medical conditions, assistive devices, and physician contacts
• Connecting with your local utility provider to register on their critical medical needs power list

❓ Action Question: Does someone in your home rely on powered medical equipment, and do you have a dedicated backup battery or generator plan for them?

09/10/2026

Don't forget your four-legged family members when building your emergency plans! 🐾🐶🐱 http://ready.gov/pets

If it isn’t safe for you to stay in your home, it isn’t safe for your pets either. Here is what to pack in your Pet Emergency Go-Bag:

🥩 3–5 days of pet food, bowls, and bottled water
💊 A week’s supply of medications and copies of medical/vaccination records
🦮 Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and a secure carrier for transport
🏷️ Up-to-date ID tags and microchip info registered with your current phone number
🧸 A familiar blanket or favorite toy to reduce stress

📸 Snap a recent photo of you with your pet on your phone in case you get separated!

❓ Action Question: What pets are you packing for in your household, and do you have a travel carrier ready for each of them? Share a photo of your pets below!