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Disaster Preparedness
Whether the cause of an emergency is natural or man-made, being caught unprepared during a disaster can make it hard to keep yourself and your family safe.
Hazards
One key step to preparedness is knowing what hazards you are likely to face where you live. In Jackson County some of the potential hazards are:
- Severe Wind - Tornadoes
- Lightening
- Ice and Snow
- Extreme Temperatures
- Flooding
- Public Health Emergencies
- Hazardous Material Spills
- Transportation Accidents
- Power Outages
- Intentional Acts
Local Alerts
Signing up to receive local emergency alerts and weather warnings is a great way to know what may impact you and your family. See our instructions on how to
Receive Local Emergency Alerts
Emergency Plans
When you know what you may face, the next step is to determine what plans and supplies you might need as well as the actions you would take if any of these events occur. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What will I need to stay safe in my home?
- Where would I go and what would I take if I need to leave my house?
- How will I communicate with my family during an emergency?
- Do I have friends or family that may need additional assistance during an emergency?
- Are there backup plans for needed medical equipment and medication?
- Do I have what I need for my children and pets?
- What services that I normally rely on may not be available during an emergency?
While it is hard to be prepared for every event, you can think through what you may need to do and how to do it beforehand and take steps to be prepared.
What to Do if There is an Emergency
Power Outages
When possible use the online Consumers Energy outage center to report a power outage. Outage Center | Consumers Energy
If you do not have internet access call 800-477-5050.
To report a downed power line or report a gas leak call 9-1-1 then Consumers at 800-477-5050.
If you are on oxygen or use other electrically dependent medical equipment contact Consumers to discuss being placed on a list for priority restoration.
Central Michigan 2-1-1
In an emergency such as a natural disaster, power outage or hazardous chemical incident, 2-1-1 acts as a clearing house for information regarding services being offered by your community such as warming shelters, food or water distribution, and updates about when it is safe to return to your home. Based on the incoming calls and requests, Information and Referral Specialists can also help assess the current needs in the community and the team can relay this to community responders.
During an emergency, when you need help but don’t have a situation requiring fire, police, or an ambulance to be dispatched by 9-1-1, dial 2-1-1.
Resources
There are many resources available that help with making emergency plans and can help you learn skills you may need during a disaster. Here are two guides edited to include Jackson County specific information.
