Preparation for those times is crucial to ensure residents get out with what they need. But oftentimes, the needs of their furry friends aren't taken into consideration until it's time to evacuate.
In an effort to make sure people have a plan for their pets, members of the Community Emergency Response Team's - CERT - Pet Rescue Team and the Humane Society of North Central Iowa hosted a pet safety event at Shoppers Supply Saturday to inform pet owners of what they can do to be prepared for disaster.
"Pet owners should always plan ahead and know where they can take their pet," said Robin Rongved, a member of the CERT pet rescue team. "So many don't think it can happen to them, and they aren't prepared when something does happen."
Rongved said that in the event of a disaster that requires evacuation, pet owners should not leave their animals at home.
"Pet owners should be aware of any boarding kennels if they can't keep their pets with them to go to a shelter and pet-friendly hotels," she said.
Members of the CERT team recommend keeping a "go bucket" close by in case of evacuation. The buckets should include items such as food and water, pet medication in a waterproof container, a collar with ID tags and leash, a picture of the pet and owner together for easy identification in case of separation, and favorite toys or treats to reduce stress for the pet.
Linda VonBank, a member of the Webster County CERT Team, said the team is working with the Humane Society and Webster County Emergency Management to educate pet owners on what to do in a disaster.
"Disasters are multifaceted," she said. "And pets are a big part of that. There are people who just won't evacuate if they can't take their pets, and there are those at the opposite end of the spectrum who will leave their pets behind and alone."
The Humane Society was also on hand Saturday to offer microchipping for pets. The microchips are inserted just under the skin of a pet and have a special bar code that can be read by a scanner. Pet owners can also register online to verify ownership.
"If a pet is lost in a disaster, and something happens and all of their paperwork is gone, the microchip can help them to be reunited with their owners," said Rongved.