Our view: Individuals need to be prepared for disasters

In 2029, a giant asteroid could splash into the Pacific Ocean and create a tsunami so powerful that Seattle would disappear. Or someday Yellowstone Park, which is really a huge volcano in disguise, could erupt, sending the planet into a barren ice age. Chances are slim that these super catastrophes will ever happen, and there’s little anyone can do to prepare.

But scientists and preparedness experts believe “mini-disasters” will increasingly become a fact of life because of climate change. Adequate preparation may be the key to survival. Last week, Gov. Chris Gregoire declared 15 Eastern Washington counties an emergency zone. Gov. Butch Otter did the same for North Idaho. The Spokane snow emergency was the 16th emergency declared in the state since 2005. The snowstorm joined a list that included Stehekin wildfires, Neah Bay water shortages and landslides in Skamania County.

The Spokane Area Disaster Planning Committee – a coalition of agencies, businesses and citizens overseen by Spokane County’s Emergency Management program – meets every month to discuss how to handle potential disasters.

Committee members sometimes feel like the neglected Maytag repairman, because they toil in obscurity much of the time. “People think it will never happen here,” said Randy Benson, co-chair of the disaster planning committee. “It” includes natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and unnatural ones, such as bioterrorism. “People think we’re not on the global map, so no one would think to poison the drinking water in Spokane,” he added.

Last week’s snow emergency did shake Inland Northwest citizens out of denial. And it allowed preparedness experts to test some of their plans. “We opened a shelter in Cheney and opened a co-shelter within it for pets, so people were able to interact with their pets,” said Lisa Jameson, program specialist for Spokane County Emergency Management.

Inland Northwest families should always be prepared to “shelter-in-place” for 72 hours. Households need three days worth of fresh water and food, as well as battery-operated radios, first-aid kits and special-needs supplies for the very old and very young.

This week, community preparedness experts worry that the region’s snow will melt too quickly. Flooding could be next. No need to panic, but be prepared.