September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month in the United States. This is a campaign sponsored by ready.gov. Ready is a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower people to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. 

Be Prepared 

Here are some resources to help Meredith employees and students be prepared.

Gather information about emergency planning and how to respond in emergency situations in order to be prepared for campus, local, or national emergencies. Meredith College emergency plans and procedures are available on our campus emergency planning website at  meredith.edu/emergency-planning.

On the Meredith College Emergency Planning site, you will find guidelines about what to do in case of emergency situations including bomb threats, criminal behavior, fire/explosion, hazardous materials, severe weather, and shelter-in-place procedures.  

In addition to the campus emergency planning information, check out the information provided by ready.gov which includes family emergency planning, creating an emergency supply kit, and having a plan to stay in contact with your family members and friends during emergencies.  

Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season continues on the East Coast through November. While no hurricanes or tropical storms are currently predicted in the Raleigh area, National Preparedness Month is a good time to review the severe weather/hurricane preparedness tips on Meredith’s emergency planning web page.

Here are some guidelines in case of inclement weather

• Watch for flash flooding and do not drive into flooded areas. Even a small amount of water in the roadway can damage your car or cause injury.
• Stay indoors and be aware of your surroundings and the weather conditions in your immediate area.
• Make sure to have cash on hand for food and for minor emergencies.
• Make sure to have a full tank of gas and a fully charged cellphone.
• Stocking up on emergency supplies can add to your safety and comfort during severe weather. Store enough supplies for at least three days, preferably seven days, in one place. Essentials include:
  • First aid kit and essential medication;
  • canned food;
  • at least three gallons of water per person;
  • protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags;
  • battery-powered radio; 
  • flashlights; and
  • extra batteries.

Stay Informed
To be informed of campus emergencies, College closings, and delays, sign up to receive MC Alert messages. The MC Alert system allows Meredith to send notifications within minutes to voicemail, email, and text messages to students, faculty, and staff.  

In order to receive MC Alerts, sign up on Self Service using your username and password. Learn how on the MC Alert web page.

If you have registered to receive MC Alert messages in the past, there is no need to register again.