Are You Prepared? -

Regardless of where we live, it is always a good idea to be prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. The recent severe weather to our east is a good reminder to be prepared for the worst. Do you keep an emergency kit in your car and at home? Are you and your family prepared for a power outage? A fire?A big earthquake? Luckily the American Red Cross and numerous other organizations throughout the state provide classes and information on how to get prepared.

In Eastern Oregon, with summer also comes thunder storm, lightening and wildfire season. Officials from the Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross say preparation basics involve three simple steps:

1. Get A Kit

2. Make A Plan

3. Be Informed (and get the proper training to be ready for emergencies)

It is also a good idea to communicate with neighbors and create an emergency plan. If you live in this area a great opportunity is coming up in which you will be able to learn how to better prepare yourself for these instances.

On June 11, The “Community Disaster Preparedness Expo” will take place at Brookswood Meadow Plaza in southwest Bend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, tonight, Thursday June 9, James Roddey will be at Willamette University’s Paulus Lecture Hall, at the College of Law, at 6:30 p.m.

Roddey, an Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries official will speak on earthquake preparedness and will discuss effects of recent major earthquakes in Japan and Chile and possible impacts of “the big one” in Oregon.

Roddey will also speak 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the community center in McMinnville, located at 600 NE Evans St.