FLORENCE, Wis. — If you are an older adult living in the community, you may face additional challenges during an emergency. For example, you may have mobility problems, chronic health conditions, or you may not have family or friends nearby to support you.

Support services such as in-home health care and meal delivery may be unavailable for a period of time. In addition, older adults may experience challenges such as hearing /vision problems or cognitive impairment, which may make it difficult to respond appropriately and quickly in the event of an emergency.

Natural disasters, such as tornadoes and blizzards, may force you to evacuate your home or to shelter-in-place at short notice. It is important to have a plan in case of an emergency well before disaster strikes.

Work with your friends, family, and neighbors to designate an emergency contact person, create an emergency supply kit for yourself, and develop and practice a plan that will fit your needs.

To assemble your emergency supply kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and place in one or two easy to carry plastic bins or duffel bags. The following are some recommended items for a basic emergency supply kit:

— Water (minimum of 3 gallons per person).

— Food (minimum of three day supply of non-perishable food) with manual can opener.

— A minimum 3 day supply of medications. If medications need to be kept cold, have a cooler and icepacks available.

— Hearing aids with extra batteries and glasses and/or contacts with solution.

— Information about medical devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen including model numbers and vendor.

— Contact information for family members, doctors, pharmacies, and caregivers.

— List of all medications, including exact name of medicine and dosage.

— List of all allergies to food and medications.

— Copies of insurance cards.

— ID band and copies of photo ID.

— Power of attorney documents, as appropriate.

— Flashlight and extra batteries.

— First aid kit along with necessary medical supplies.

— Cash.

— Emergency radio.

— Whistle (to signal for help).

— Moist towelettes, garbage bags, paper plates, plastic cups, utensils, and paper towels.

— Cell phone with charger and a backup battery.

— Warm sleeping bag or blanket.

Being prepared for an emergency can save lives. To receive local emergency alerts and critically important communications in the event of an emergency, go to Florence County’s website at www.florencecountywi.com and click on the Code Red Emergency Warning link on the right had side of the home screen. This will take you to a website to sign up for local emergency notifications. Additional emergency preparedness information geared towards Seniors is available at www.ready.gov/seniors.

For assistance signing up for the Code Red Emergency Warning System or more information on aging or living with a disability, contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County at 715-528-4890, or stop by the office.

The ADRC is in the lower level of the Florence County Courthouse, 501 Lake Ave. in Florence, Wis. The ADRC can be accessed online at its website, www.florencecountywi.com; or the ADRC of Florence County’s Facebook page.