One of the biggest dangers during an emergency is complacency. Emergencies often arise with little-to-no notice and intensify suddenly. Preparation and situational awareness are fundamental to being able to swiftly and thoughtfully react during a disaster.
Planning ahead and identifying where to find resources ahead of time can go a long way during an incident. A few simple steps today can better prepare you for future events. Here are some resources to help you and your family be ready in case of an emergency.
Preparedness
- Ready.gov: From help identifying common dangers to how to stay informed during a disaster, this site offers an array of preparedness literature.
- Ready.gov Built a Kit: An emergency kit is essential to giving you quick access to supplies. Ready.gov shares suggestions for starting or improving your emergency kit.
- National Weather Service Seasonal Safety: NWS campaigns built to educate the public on various severe weather threats.
- Media Resources: Staying informed before, during and after an emergency is imperative for you and your family's safety. There are several ways to keep informed of current conditions.
- Local Media: Television, radio, digital and print media outlets play an integral role in sharing information.
- Social Media: Following reputable sources can provide access to information on-the-go or at home. Follow Harvey County EM on Facebook and X.
- Weather Radio: A weather radio can alert you to watches and warnings in your area.
- Outdoor Warning Sirens: Outdoor warning sirens can convey information of life-threatening weather conditions. Please remember the sirens are only meant to be heard outside, and should not be your sole source of notification.
- Everbridge: Harvey County utilizes the Everbridge alert system.
Training
- Kansas Division of Emergency Management: For agency-specific training offerings throughout the state.
- For local organizations needing to request a grant-required training exercise, contact the Harvey County community services coordinator.
Weather
- U.S. National Weather Service - Wichita: The NWS office in Wichita provides current conditions, radar, weather alerts and other important data points for Harvey County and its coverage area.
- NWS 2024 Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Packet: Severe weather data and trends for the state.
- NWS Climate Prediction Center: For longer-term forecasting of weather conditions.
- NWS Safety: Safety advice from the NWS for various severe weather threats.
- NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: For monitoring river status and river flooding in Kansas.
- NWS Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast: Used to determine the conditions for potential grassland fires.
- For information on open burning requirements in Harvey County, click here.
- National Integrated Drought Information System: Drought monitoring for Kansas.
- University of Kansas' Kansas Geological Survey: To view data on earthquakes in the state.
Road and Utility Status
- Ark Valley Electric Coop: Outage map.
- Butler Electric Coop: Outage Map.
- Evergy: Outage map.
- Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative: Outage map.
- KAN Drive: Current road conditions on state-owned highways.