Public Health Emergency Preparedness

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Public Health Emergency Preparedness


Are You Ready?

Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year and can occur at any time. The question is, will you and your family be ready when disaster strikes?  There are many things you and your family can do to prepare for a disaster like creating an emergency supplies kit, writing a family preparedness plan and practicing your plan, being informed about what might happen, and getting involved in preparing your community.

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Awareness Month

July 2023

Thunderstorms & Lightning

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Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.

Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning and can create or cause:

Prepare for Thunderstorms & Lightning

Know Your Risk
Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places they can occur year-round and at any hour. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Strengthen Your Home
Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home. Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.

Make an Emergency Plan
Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and what you will need to protect yourselves from the effects of a thunderstorm. Identify sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study and play.

Stay Safe During Thunderstorms & Lightning

 If you are under a thunderstorm warning:

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Stay Safe After Thunderstorms & Lightning
  • Pay attention to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
  • Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.

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State of Montana Public Health Partners        


Public Health emergencies can arise anywhere. Natural, technological, and human-caused disasters can impact Montana at any time. Public health hazards in Montana may result from communicable disease outbreaks, food and water contamination, chemical spills, wildland fires, and smoke, drought, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, and avalanches.

As part of the DPHHS Communicable Disease Control & Prevention Bureau, Montana's Public Health Emergency Preparedness works to help local and tribal health jurisdictions prepare for and respond to health emergencies, coordinate local surveillance and response systems, and keep Montana citizens informed of any public health-related emergencies.

Federal grant funds strengthen public health and hospital preparedness on a state, regional, and local level throughout Montana, with the majority of funds distributed to local and tribal health partners.

Our Mission Statement: DPHHS Emergency Preparedness program builds, supports, and strengthens resilience in both Montana communities and the Department through leadership and collaborative partnerships to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from adverse events that affect the public’s health.

If you have questions regarding the type of planning that this program participates in, please call 406-563-7863