WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – We’re a few weeks into 2025; how are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions?

If you’re like 90% of us, you’ve started to falter. We’re human, we’re busy, life happens. But the comfort of being in good company is no excuse to give up. I mentioned earlier that one fairly easy-to-keep resolution is to Prepare in a Year for a disaster or emergency. That’s because you can get it done through a simple series of once-a-month tasks.

Why is this particular resolution worthy of your time?

Remember the 2021 floods? How about bomb cyclone in November 2024? When big things happen, they affect a lot of people. Which means if your own house floods or is hit by a tree, it could take time to get the help you need. Being prepared for disasters can jumpstart the healing process.

Courtesy of Amy Cloud

A simple template developed by the state makes it super easy to get started and keep going. To prepare in a year for any calamity, start with this single assignment: make a communication plan.

Your plan can be one sheet stuck to the refrigerator and saved in your phone. It will help through the stress of a crisis by reminding you what to do, whom to contact, and how to do it. (Note: in the event phone and power lines are down, texting may be your best and only communications option.)

Here’s how to get started:

  • Create a list of family or friends who don’t live here in the Pacific Northwest
  • Add their contact information
  • Reach out (this month) to let them know that when “the Big One” hits, you will text to tell them know where you are, how you are, and what your needs are
  • Share this plan with everyone in your household (during a crisis they may be at work, at school, running errands) so they’ll connect with the same out-of-area contacts
  • Consider an accessible pre-determined local site where you can meet up with household members, in case you cannot reach them · Finally, bookmark the American Red Cross “safe and well” site as another way to let others know your status in a disaster.

When you do you typically have an uninterrupted hour? Block that hour on your calendar this month (and maybe the same day-and-time every month) and you really can “prepare in a year.” And – bonus! – earn some peace of mind as well.

Amy Cloud is the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.  She was born and raised locally, leaving for Whitman College and work in Seattle, Knoxville and Washington, D.C. She returned to work as Supervising News Producer and reporter for KVOS-TV’s NewsView before switching to communications for WWU, PeaceHealth and the City of Bellingham. She also co-chairs the Community PIO Group and is a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues.