Emergency Preparedness
Welcome to the City of Roberts Emergency Prep Page!
Life in southeast Idaho is pretty fantastic — with gorgeous mountain views, the Snake River just a stone’s throw away, and a community that feels like family. But every now and then, Mother Nature and our “modern” infrastructure like to remind us who’s boss. Whether it’s a power outage, a bit of flooding, a surprise water advisory (because sometimes the newfangled parts don’t last like the old ones did), or even a mild earthquake, being prepared will help you keep your cool. This page is your go-to spot for simple tips, emergency kit ideas, and trusty resources—so you can handle whatever comes your way without breaking a sweat, shedding tears, or offering city staff some colorful commentary.
Preparing Your Household
- Essential Emergency Subscriptions:
- Water:
- At least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Keep a minimum three-day supply, ideally two weeks if staying home.
- Purification methods like unscented bleach or water filters. (For the City of Roberts municiple water Do NOT use bleach)
- Fill bathtubs or large containers with water ahead of time to supplement bottled water.
- Food:
- Several days’ worth of non-perishable items that require no refrigeration or cooking. Include a manual can opener if needed.
- Use alternative cooking methods like camping stoves or grills outdoors only to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Lighting: Flashlights with extra batteries, headlamps for hands-free use, and chemical light sticks or backup battery bulbs.
- Power:
- Use portable power stations or power banks to keep essential devices like phones and radios charged.
- Consider a portable generator to run critical appliances like refrigerators. Always operate generators outdoors only and follow carbon monoxide safety guidelines.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer can hold its temperature for up to 48 hours.
- Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances during an outage to prevent damage from surges when power is restored.
- Communication: Battery-powered or hand-crank radios for emergency updates, plus cell phones with chargers and backup batteries
- First Aid Kit: Basic supplies including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.
- Sanitation: Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties, soap, or hand sanitizer.
- Warmth: Blankets, pillows, and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Cash: Extra cash in small bills, since electronic payments and ATMs may be unavailable.
- Important Documents: Copies of IDs, insurance policies, medical records, and medication lists stored in a waterproof container.
- Utility Knowledge: Learn how and when to safely shut off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
- Medical Needs: Register for notifications if you or a family member depend on electricity-powered medical equipment.
- Safety Awareness: Avoid downed power lines and electrical hazards during outages.
- Home Preparation: Prepare your home for wildfire season by creating defensible space and following official guidance.
Helpful Resources
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City of Roberts Alerts: Subscribe here for emergency notifications.
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Jefferson County Emergency Alerts: Sign up via AlertSense.
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Emergency Kit Guidance: Idaho Office of Emergency Management.
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Public Health Preparedness: Idaho Department of Health & Welfare.
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Jefferson County Emergency Management: Plans, sandbag info, CERT training at Jefferson County Emergency-Management
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Home Preparedness Checklist: PDF
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Emergency Kit Checklist for Kids & Families – CDC downloadable checklist
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Flood & Sandbag Info: Local tips and FEMA resources.
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Water Advisory Updates: City of Roberts.
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Power Outage Safety: Rocky Mountain Power
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Wildfire Mitigation: PacifiCorp.
Helpful Videos
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Build an Emergency Kit – American Red Cross: U.S. government guidance on kit essentials
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Emergency Essentials Kit Overview: Demo by Emergency Essentials listing practical kit contents
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Are you Worried About a Boil Water Advisory?– Don't stress!
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page is for general preparedness guidance only and is not intended to serve as official emergency instructions or replace directives from emergency services. While the City of Roberts strives to provide accurate and up-to-date content, it makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information. The City is not liable for any actions taken or not taken based on the content of this page. Residents are encouraged to follow guidance from local emergency management, public health officials, and utility providers during actual emergency events.