TEXARKANA, Texas -- With September as Disaster Preparedness Month, area residents have the opportunity to shore up their emergency plans.
Fire Chief Eric Schlotter, coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management, said the most likely natural disasters for Texarkana are flooding, hail and tornadoes. He said a transportation-related disaster could cause large-scale problems, though he doubts any major disruptions to the water system.
Schlotter said the area's emergency plan is multifaceted, divided into what he called "annexes."
"The basic plan and each of the annexes gets reviewed at least once every five years. We look over four or five sections a year, and by the time we roll around to five years, we've reviewed the entire thing."
To complement the area-wide plan, Schlotter said families would do well to tap into information sources such as FEMA, which provides guides on how to make an emergency kit. The organization also gives advice for a person with special needs, senior citizens, pet owners and people with low income who may not be able to build a comprehensive emergency kit.
"We send out weather alerts through our CodeRED alert system," Schlotter said. "The next best thing to have if cellular devices go down is a solar crank radio. Weather radios are good at picking up coverage and they're reasonably priced at any of the big-box stores."
Schlotter said he encourages businesses and families to walk through their plans and think about how to handle certain situations.
"'What am I going to take? What do I have?' You have to be fast. What if my family's cellphones go out?" Schlotter said. "Planning can make a big difference."
To sign up for the CodeRED alert system, go to the city's website at www.ci.texarkana.tx.us/396/CodeRED.
FEMA's emergency planning list for pet owners includes food, water, collar with ID tag and a a toy or blanket that will help reduce stress for the pet. (Staff photo by Mallory Wyatt)