Helping Older South Dakotans Prepare for Disasters

A disaster or emergency can disrupt your daily life at any time, sometimes without warning. Even in the Midwest, where many of us have grown accustomed to unpredictable and extreme weather.

Here in South Dakota, rainstorms are becoming more severe each year, causing more frequent and costly floods. Hundreds of people each year are injured or killed by exposure to cold, accidents on wintry roads, and fires caused by misusing heaters.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to respond safely and help speed your recovery when disaster strikes. AARP South Dakota wants to make sure you’re equipped with the information you need, so we're bringing the experts to you.

On January 31, AARP South Dakota will host a statewide telephone town hall with guest speakers from the American Red Cross and the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management, who are experienced in all aspects of disaster preparedness and will be sharing valuable information regarding the state’s guidelines, how to prepare, and who to contact for additional assistance. To join, call 877-300-1240 at 7pm Central Time.

AARP South Dakota and the American Red Cross will also offer a free, virtual education series, where participants can learn what steps they can take before, during and after a disaster, and how to keep a cool head when emotions are running high. The series will take place over the next few months and will cover the following topics:

• General Preparedness for Older Adults and Caregivers, with Hands-Only CPR training
• Winter storms
• Floods
• Tornados
• Home Fires

Click and register for any of the topics above that are most helpful to you.

In these situations, it can feel like we have very little control over our circumstances. Planning and preparing can make a big difference in resiliency in the wake of a crisis, allowing our communities to bounce back more quickly.

Disasters can bring out the best in people, as neighbors and strangers alike roll up their sleeves and open their wallets to help those picking up the pieces. They also bring out the worst in scammers, for whom others’ misfortune is just a chance to make a fast buck. Learn more.

Additional disaster preparedness resources can be found on the South Dakota state website, https://bready.sd.gov/ or FEMA’s website, https://www.ready.gov/.