JOINT BASE CHARLESTON -- It has been several days for really bad weather in South Carolina, and North Carolina. A reminder that it is important to reach out to ourfolks who may live in impacted areas (Air Reserve Technicians and traditional Reservists) to see if they are impacted by any of this weather.
I have found some surprising areas in which you thought people would not be impacted, only to find out they have been flooded. Here is some info toshare with folks who work with you. Please share with our brave men, women and families as we being to sort through and recover from the aftermath of the massive amount of rainfall.
Steps to Take After a Flood, Fire or Other Natural Disaster
When a disaster damages or destroys your home or neighborhood, so much changes. Whether it's a flood, fire, hurricane, tornado or earthquake, recovery can be a challenge. But to begin getting your home, your community and your life back to normal, you can:
- Create a plan for recovery
- Check in with your unit
- Stay alert and stay safe
Your safety, along with your mental and physical well-being, is the most important thing after a disaster or emergency situation. Make the process less stressful by having a recovery plan in place.
Here are a few things you can do after disaster strikes:
Check on those around you. After you make sure your family is OK, check on neighbors and people who may have been alone; especially the elderly and disabled, and children. If anyone is injured, weak, or in distress, help them get medical attention.
Find a safe place to stay. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can provide housing assistance if your home was damaged or destroyed. Call 800-462-9029 for assistance. You should also look for volunteers with the American Red Cross, which helps provide shelter for people in disastersituations.
Check in with your leadership. Following certain catastrophic events, if you can use the Internet, check in online through using the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System. If the Internet is down, you can check in over the phone. Air Force service members should call 800-435-9941. But if you are like me, I have been receiving emails and phone calls on my person cell and email address, as I provided them through the AFPAAS system.
If you have not received any message, please make sure you click on the purple globe when you return to work and update your information. Be safe, inside and outside your home. If your home has been damaged, your power lines and gas lines may have sustained damage also. Turn off your gas and electricity if you can do so safely. Report any downed power lines or broken gas lines right away. Avoid puddles and other standing water outside as you could get a shock from underground or downed power lines. If you see any wires on the ground, assume all are dangerous including cable TV lines.
Also watch out for leaking gas lines and propane containers, gasoline that has leaked from vehicles and lighter fluid or paint thinner that has spilled. When you're out, stay alert as structures that are still standing may fall in on you or collapse under you.
Provide ventilation for fuel-burning devices. If you are using kerosene lamps, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas-powered pumps or generators, provide plenty of ventilation in the area so that carbon monoxide does not build up.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas, and it can be deadly. It is best not to use certain carbon monoxide-producing devices indoors, but if you have no other choice, be sure and watch people around you for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include: mild headaches that persist or get worse, shortness of breath, irritability, poor judgment, memory loss and rapid fatigue. If any of these symptoms occur in people around you, seek medical attention immediately.
Stay informed. Depending on the disaster, radio and TV reports may provide news through the emergency alert system. This system, along with news or government agencies' social media sites, can provide information about what to do, where to go and how to contact local disaster relief services.
Disasters can be upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Reach out to your 315th family - your leadership and Airman and Family Readiness. Additionally, you may reach out to Military OneSource online or by phone, at 800-342-9647 if you are, or someone in your family is, experiencing issues with disaster-related stress.
Take care and be safe out there!
315th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Office: (843) 963-5818
Also, stay upto date on current alerts through the 315th Airlift Wing app. Not only will emergency and other important messages be delivered to your phone, the app also provides a way for you to communicate with the Wing. Search for 315th Airlift Wing in your app store.