Was last February's "snow-pocalypse" a wake-up call? Did you rush to the store to purchase supplies only to find the shelves empty? Or were you prepared, but concerned by the fact that so many other people were not? 

 

September is National Preparedness Month and this year's theme is Prepared, Not Scared.   It is easy to become overwhelmed by the thought of disasters and how to prepare for them. The goal of initiatives like National Preparedness Month is to focus - together - on making your family and the entire community more resilient.

 

Saving Early for Disaster Costs

Set aside savings to help offset the cost of disasters and keep some cash on hand for use in emergencies to pay for immediate expenses like lodging, food, and gas when ATMs and credit card readers are not available. Take photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file insurance claims. Visit  ready.gov/financial-preparedness .

 

Making a Plan to Prepare for Disasters

Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is important to put together an emergency plan and decide how you'll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find, then practice your plan. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for 7-14 days following a major disaster (such as a big earthquake).

 

Teaching Youth to Prepare for Disasters

Children make up roughly 25 percent the nation's population and have unique needs during a disaster.  Teach them what to do in an emergency if at home or away from home, and help them learn how to communicate during an emergency (e.g. sending text messages, emergency contact numbers, and dialing 9-1-1 for help). Remember to update school records and get kids involved in building their own emergency kit - don't forget favorite stuffed animals, board games, books, or music to comfort them in a disaster. Visit ready.gov/kids for more information.

 

Getting Involved in the City's Preparedness Efforts

Take classes in lifesaving skills such as CPR/AED and first aid, or in emergency response like CERT and Map Your Neighborhood. Make sure to sign up for ALERT King County to receive up-to-date emergency alerts via telephone, text, and email. Get to know your neighbors and check in with them to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm or other emergency.  

Ever since the first confirmed cougar sighting on August 5, the City has worked closely with WDFW on all reported potential sightings and kept the public updated with daily posts on its Cougar Information page. Given that there have been no confirmed sightings since August 6, the City is now transitioning to periodic updates only when major developments occur.

Residents are still encouraged to contact MIPD by phone (call 9-1-1) if they believe they have seen the animal; reports via social media are difficult for the City to act on in a timely manner.  

Recology continues preparations for its role as the City's new recycling, compost, and garbage hauler starting on October 1. Swapouts of 20,000 new color-coded curbside carts are nearing completion, with troubleshooting work scheduled over the next two weeks.

 

If a resident has any remaining Republic carts, they are asked to leave them out and accessible until 5:00pm on their current collection day. If new carts have already arrived, please fill only those. Call Recology's hotline with cart swapout issues at 206-381-6980.

 

A reminder that Republic will service your new carts through Monday, September 30. On October 1, Recology begins its contract. If your collection day changes, you may receive service twice during that transition week. For example, if your normal collection day lands on Monday, September 30, and your new day changes to Friday (i.e. October 4), then you should put your carts out on both days that week.

 

Don't forget that there's a chance to learn more and ask questions at the Recology Open House at the Community Center, on Wednesday, September 25, from 5:00-7:00pm.  

Join us on Monday, September 23, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center for the third and final Community Open House for the Aubrey Davis Master Plan. 

Come check out large-scale visuals of the draft Master Plan that has now been submitted for SEPA review, and take a short survey with your feedback. This is a family-friendly event: children are welcome and activities and snacks will be provided. If you are unable to attend this Open House, an online survey will be available from September 23 through 30 at letstalk.mercergov.org/aubreydavis.  

The  Mercer Island Sister City Association  and the  City's Arts Council  are pleased to present a lecture on French art at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 24, at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC).  

Frye Art Museum art historian Rebecca Albioni will speak on " Frenemies: Picasso/Matisee" exploring the competition and friendship between the two innovative painters. Call (206) 353-9122 with questions, or purchase $15 tickets online.