During the fall and winter months, weather in Washington State can be unpredictable and dramatic. Severe weather may pose health and safety risks to people caught in its path. The following fact sheets from the Department of Health can help you prepare for the possible hazards of bad weather - before, during and after.

Getting ready now for bad weather or other disasters is the best thing you can do to make it through these times safe and healthy.

• Emergency Resource Guide.
  This guide contains many of the facts sheets on this page as well as others.

• Checklist of Emergency Supplies
  This checklist is a great way to get started on a disaster survival kit at your home. (This checklist is also available in Spanish, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

Floods

• Floods (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

• Cleaning up your home:

  • After a flood

  • After a sewage spill

  • After your basement floods (also available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese)

• Safe drinking water

  • Purifying household water (graphic pamphlet)
    available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, LARGE TYPE

  • Find alternative water supplies

  • Drinking water emergencies for water systems

• Mold: Frequently asked questions

• Special circumstances

  • Animal disposal following a flood

  • Effect of water on X-ray equipment for X-ray operators

Power Outages

• Power outages (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

• Safe drinking water in emergencies (also available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, LARGE TYPE and graphic pamphlet)

• Keeping food safe without power 

• Food safety during a power outage for food establishments
  Guide for food establishments about food safety during a power outage (pdf)

• Using a generator safely (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Information from the the Washington State Department of Health

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fact Sheet:

  • English (illustrated version)

  • Spanish (illustrated version)

  • Chinese (illustrated version)

  • Korean (illustrated version)

  • Russian (illustrated version)

  • Vietnamese (illustrated version)

  • LARGE TYPE

• Frequently Asked Questions about Carbon Monoxide
  More details on carbon monoxide poisoning from the Department of Health's Indoor Air Quality program.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  Fact sheet available in 11 languages.

• Carbon Monoxide Prevention Guidelines
  Fact sheet available in 17 languages.

Landslides and Mud Flows (also available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

Windstorms (also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and LARGE TYPE)

Hypothermia (also available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese)

External resources

• Washington State Emergency Management Division - tips on preparing for and surviving floods and winter storms
• Washington State Department of Transportation - includes information on the current condition of weather, traffic, mountain passes and alternate routes.