Tornados in Tennessee. Flooding in southeastern Minnesota. Ice storms in Oklahoma. Are you ready for an emergency?

While none of us knows when disaster will strike, being prepared in advance can take the stress out of the unknown.

Meeker County Emergency Management Assistant Karla Hyberger and Public Health Nurse Michelle Koch are leading two emergency preparedness classes March 6 titled, “Are You Ready?” aimed at getting local families ready for an emergency.

“The more you know, the better prepared you are and the better you can handle things,” Koch said.

One of the most important steps in emergency preparedness is to have a communication plan, Koch said. Such a plan should be built around discussion so that family members understand what will happen in varying situations. It should include an out-of-area contact, places to meet outside the home and what would happen in an evacuation.

“Really what we are looking at is a good, basic plan that’s for all situations,” Koch said. “And as you know, the better plan you have, the better prepared.”

Another way households can prepare themselves for emergency situations is to have emergency supply kits collected. The kits, whether basic or extensive, should last families between three to seven days, the likely amount of time they may be hunkered in their home without electricity, water or heat.

Read more about why being prepared for the unexpected can be a lifesaver in the Feb. 21 Independent Review.

If you go...
What: Litchfield Community Education’s “Are You Ready?” classes will focus on different ways to plan and prepare for an emergency when seconds matter. The sessions will have guidelines, handouts and examples of how planning for the unexpected can be a lifesaver. Both classes will cover the same information.
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 6
Where: Meeker Cooperative Community Room
Fee: $5
Deadline to register: Feb. 29
How to register: Contact Litchfield Community Education via Internet, mail, phone or in-person at Meeker County Family Services Building. Class code for registering for afternoon session is 1616. Evening session class code is 1617.