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Prepare for winter flash floods

Disaster Preparedness

Winter weather worries include more than snow and freezing temperatures; winter is also one of the busiest flood seasons. Past floods have served as benchmarks and learning opportunities for communities that want to make sure their residents are ready for unexpected events, such as flash floods.

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Illinois teens learn about emergency preparedness with video games

Disaster Preparedness

To help raise awareness about disaster preparedness among children and teens, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has deployed age-appropriate activities to educate this population.

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Keep safety a priority during the holidays

Disaster Preparedness

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…seem like a potentially dangerous situation. The holidays are a time for merriness (or at least acting as if you are happy), smells of spiced apple cider, bells, gifts, holiday parties, connecting with friends and family, eggnog, embarrassing holiday sweaters, garlands, sparkling lights and warm homes. A blazing holiday house fire can quickly mess-up your holiday plans and cheer. As you decorate, celebrate and be jolly, keep safety a top priority this holiday season.

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Rainstorms hit California hard

Disaster Preparedness, Water and Storm Damage

Residents of California are going to need more than just their raincoats and goulashes as rains hit the states, with heavier precipitation expected to fall on Southern California later on Tuesday evening and into Wednesday. An MSNBC report states the National Weather Service (NOAA) predicts that up to 8 inches of rain could fall in some parts of the state, with as much as 10 inches of snow in the mountains. As a result, NOAA has issued flood warnings, flashflood warnings and winter weather advisories across the state. Already, more than 13 feet of snow has fallen in the mountain ranges, as well as over 12 inches of rain.

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Furniture store explosion rocks neighborhood

Disaster Preparedness

A disaster no business owner wants to face: an explosion in the building, being critically injured and two trapped employees. This event happened today at a furniture store in Wayne, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. As of 2 p.m. (PST), two trapped employees were still missing. Rescuers are fearful of secondary explosions and the presence of flammable materials.

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