Did you watch the 2022 Earthshot awards on OPB? I was delighted and inspired by the winners. One that stood out for me was the award-winning Makuru Stoves, a stove which creates 70% less particulate matter than stoves currently in use in Nairobi. Wouldn't it be a cool stove to have that stove for disaster preparedness? The Earthshot Prize is awarded to five winners each year for their contributions to environmentalism. Check out the winners here. 

Are you wondering about some creative gift ideas that could keep your loved ones safe? The Holiday Edition of the quarterly newsletter from the Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs' December Newsletter has some amazing holiday gifting ideas. Check it out! 

Oregon Field Guide spent a year-and-a-half probing the state of Oregon's preparedness, and found that when it comes to bridges, schools, hospitals, building codes, and energy infrastructure, Oregon lags far behind many quake prone regions of the country. Check out this informative 1-hour video. (Aired September 30, 2015.)

FEMA News Release
​Oct 27th, 2022, FEMA News Desk (425) 487-4610
Purchase Flood Insurance to Protect What You’ve Built
BOTHELL, Wash. – If you do not carry National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance, now is the time to buy it. Wildfire season is slowing down, and once the fires are out, people and communities are at risk for another threat, flooding.  Wildfires leave the ground charred and unable to absorb water. This creates a flash flooding potential for years to come, even in areas that rarely experienced flooding in the past. Sometimes these flash floods can pick up ash and large debris, turning into mudflows that are highly destructive.
Unlike many causes of damage, flooding and mudflows are generally not covered by a homeowners’ policy. An uninsured flood loss can eat into your life’s savings. Floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S.  Just an inch of water in an average-sized home can cause $25,000 in damage. A NFIP policy protects against such losses and can ensure that a flood doesn’t bring financial ruin.
Flood insurance is easy to get, the only requirement is that you live in an NFIP participating community. These include cities, counties and other jurisdictions that manage development. You don’t need to live in a floodplain to purchase a policy. If you live outside a floodplain, insurance will likely cost less than for those living in a higher risk area.
Buyers should be aware of the 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect. It is important to purchase a policy now to protect your property against the continuing threat of flooding. You can usually purchase flood insurance from your current agent. If that isn’t possible, NFIP representatives can help you find one.
As with any insurance, be sure to talk with your agent about the specifics of your policy. Find out more about your risk and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov. To purchase flood insurance or find an agent, call 1-800-427-4661.
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