Preparing for disaster - commissaries ask patrons to stock up

  • Published
  • By Kevin L. Robinson
  • Defense Commissary Agency Public Affairs
FORT LEE, Va. --  Weather forecasters are predicting an unusually active hurricane season for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts this year. Are you prepared? That's the question the Defense Commissary Agency is asking customers and offers advice on how to ensure they have enough supplies to withstand a potential disaster.

"We often get lulled into a false sense of 'this won't happen to us' when it comes to being prepared for the worst," said Tom Milks, DeCA deputy director and chief operating officer. "But the lessons learned from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina still hold true five years later."

People should check their household emergency supplies so they're ready for any event - whether it's a natural or manmade disaster.

"Most of what they'll need is available at the commissary with a savings of 30 percent or more," he said.

Mr. Milks also said the commissary is a good place to start when it comes to planning for graduation parties, summertime barbecues and the unexpected. The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and Mother Nature has already wreaked havoc inland with devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma and Mississippi and severe flooding in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.

DeCA features seasonal needs of commissary customers with its summer club pack program which runs July 1 to Sept. 30. The program also includes products appropriate for hurricane and tornado preparedness: food and beverages that don't require refrigeration, flashlights, lanterns and emergency candles. Commissaries are also offering summer truckload events to help customers stock up.

"Club packs are popular because they allow customers to buy in bulk similar to commercial warehouse club outlets," said Charlie Dowlen, DeCA promotions manager. "Past experience shows that people use club packs to prepare for bad weather events."

With the coming of the Atlantic hurricane season, the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommend creating a disaster supply kit with the following items:
  • Water - at least one gallon daily per person for three to seven days.
  • Food - nonperishable packaged or canned food and juices, foods for infants or the elderly, snack foods, nonelectric can opener, cooking tools, fuel, paper plates and plastic utensils.
  • Blankets and pillows.
  • Clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
  • First aid kit, medicines and prescription drugs.
  • Special items for babies and elderly.
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and moisture wipes.
  • Flashlight and batteries.
  • Battery operated and NOAA weather radios.
  • · Fully charged cell phone with an extra battery and a traditional telephone set - not a cordless phone.
  • Cash with some small bills and credit cards. Remember, banks and ATMs may not be available for a while.
  • Important documents placed in a waterproof container or watertight resealable bag.
  • Tools.
  • Vehicle fuel tanks filled.
  • Pet care items such as proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, and muzzle and leash.

For more information on disaster preparedness, go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website at www.fema.gov; the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov; and the American Red Cross website at www.RedCross.org.