Hurricane Irene - Be Prepared

Hurricane Irene looks to hit the Washington, D.C. region within the next 24 hours. The City of Fairfax is making a host of preparations for the storm. One of them is making sure that residents are prepared.

For a list of things you can do, tracking the storm and other important information visit FairfaxVa.gov - presumably before you lose power. In fact, you may even want to print out the information you need, just in case the lights go out. And being from Tidewater where hurricanes are about as frequent as earthquakes in San Francisco, I can tell you that every bit of preparation makes a difference.

Here's a quick list of important information from the City website:

Being prepared is smart, and easy to do. For assistance, visit the city's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Web pages or call 703-385-4856.

Have a plan in place so everyone in the household knows what to do. Discuss this plan thoroughly (and regularly, even when no emergency is imminent). Keep emergency kits ready. For assistance in preparing a plan, pick up a copy of Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness from the OEM Web page.

Prepare three emergency kits: for "sheltering in place" at home, for evacuation and for the workplace. See the suggested list below, or check with the OEM or employers for recommendations.

During an emergency, stay informed. The city has many information resources (see below). Rely on other trusted sources as well, including the National Weather Service and reliable news sources.

Plan how to get in touch if household members become separated. Establish points of contact inside and outside the immediate area. Use all tools available, including e-mail and social media, which are accessible on many handheld devices and smartphones.

Here is a suggested list for emergency preparedness kits. (Keep ready in case utilities are down or evacuation is needed):

* water (one gallon per person and pet per day)
* non-perishable food for 3-5 days, manual can opener, disposable plates and utensils
* non-electric items (radio, flashlight, etc.)
* first aid supplies
* trash bags
* disinfectant/bleach
* duct tape
* cash/traveler's checks
* clothing (one or two complete clothing changes)
* bedding
* tools (including extra batteries, matches)
* toiletry items, including prescription drugs
* special needs items for elderly, ill, children
* pet supplies (food and water for three days, medicine if needed, first aid kit, litter box or sealable plastic bag and sanitizing supplies for waste; familiar items and toys, carrier or crate, spare leash/collar/ID tags)
* important documents
* entertainment (books, games)

For assistance, visit the city's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Web pages or call 703-385-4856.

#DCQuake - Some shakes, some stirs and many sighs

The #DCQuake we experienced today officially registered 6.0 on the 10-point Richter scale. Like many, I was in my office working when the shaking started. To be honest, my first thoughts were that there was some sort of construction going on (and going badly) in my office building or worse, we were feeling the reverberations of an explosion.

But alas, it was an earthquake that while shouldn't be taken lightly, also was not some sort of cataclysmic activity that shut everything down. Just the opposite in fact. I saw bars and restaurants that were bustling with business after offices evacuated. And people were live tweeting once they could get a connection.

I work in D.C. by McPherson Square and once people were evacuated, they were milling around outside of their offices, trying to get on their phones, check their email, tweet and update their Facebook status. That wasn't meant to be. For about 15-20 minutes, it seemed no one could get a signal - no text, no email, no phone, no social media ... nothing. People looked a little lost - and I admit I was one of them. We are so used to being connected - and instantly - that to not be just doesn't feel right. So, as we still tried to get online, colleagues talked with one another, basked in the sun and made plans to find a place where they could get a beverage.

About a half-hour after the shakes, signals started coming back and people could get back in touch, but I saw most looking for patio seating. They were connected, but in a different way. Outside the office and the confines of our traditional structures, people caught up on friends, family and of course, a little work. They also were comforted by being able to eventually get in touch with loved ones and stay on top of the news. There certainly is a comfort in being able to know what's happening.

What I heard from most people were questions like "Where were you when the earthquake hit?," some really bad jokes and then a sigh - as in, "really, this is it?" I actually think we let out a collective sigh of relief, too, when we heard it was an earthquake, especially as we approach the 10-year anniversary of September 11.

I think this "sigh" shows us that folks who call the nation's capital home are a tough lot. We ourselves shake off whatever comes our way and make the best of the situation at hand.

An earthquake is certainly something to be taken seriously, but today's tremors were a reminder of how we've all learned to adapt to the moment and move on. And in this case, take advantage of the beautiful weather to sit outside and enjoy one each other's company.