Branson Outreach Disaster Preparedness Plan

Purpose

This plan is to help homeless families — especially those living outdoors or in tents — prepare for, survive, and recover from severe weather and other disasters (storms, floods, tornadoes, heat waves, winter freezes).

A. BEFORE A DISASTER — Preparation & Prevention

1. Family Safety Kit (Low-Cost & Portable)

• Emergency blanket (Mylar or wool) for each person
• Plastic ponchos / tarps (for tent roof and ground protection)
• Thermal hand & foot warmers
• Flashlight or headlamp + spare batteries
• Small first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers)
• Whistle (for signaling)
• Face masks (for smoke/dust)
• Bottled water (≥1 gallon per person/day) or purification tablets
• Canned food + manual can opener / energy bars
• Emergency contact cards laminated in plastic
• Lighters & waterproof matches (store safely)
• Portable phone charger (solar power bank preferred)
• Plastic bags for waterproofing important items
• Spare clothes, sturdy shoes, thick socks

2. Tent & Camp Reinforcement

• Use tarps above and below the tent for insulation and water protection.
• Dig small drainage trenches around tents to divert rainwater (away from sleeping area).
• Reinforce stakes with heavy rocks, logs, or sandbags.
• Insulate tent floor with cardboard, foam mats, or extra blankets.
• Use thermal sleeping bags or line sleeping bags with Mylar blankets.
• Keep a small ventilation opening to avoid condensation and reduce carbon monoxide risk if using heat sources.

3. Information & Communication

• Sign up for local emergency alerts (county/city text alerts) where possible.
• Keep a small battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio if available.
• Create a buddy system with nearby families for check-ins and sharing supplies.
• Identify local outreach contacts (churches, shelters, outreach teams) in advance.

B. DURING A DISASTER — Safety & Shelter

1. When Weather Turns Dangerous

• Evacuate early when tornado or flash flood warnings are issued if safe routes exist.
• Avoid creeks, rivers, underpasses and low-lying areas — they flood quickly.
• If staying near your campsite, move to higher ground and place important items in waterproof containers.
• Keep emergency bags and IDs accessible to leave immediately.

2. Shelter Options (Branson, MO — Local Resources)

• Christian Action Ministries — 2400 Historic Hwy. 165, Branson, MO — meals, assistance, outreach coordination.
• Salvation Army Branson — 1114 Stanley Ave — daytime support, food, hygiene services.
• Branson Church Alliance Rotating Shelter Program — local churches open overnight during winter/major storms (check with Christian Action Ministries for daily updates).
• Safe Haven Now — (local temporary shelter; check current hours) — family-friendly emergency shelter during weather events.
• Branson Outreach — clothing, blankets, emergency goods distribution.

3. Quick Tips for Specific Events

• Flooding: Move to higher ground immediately; avoid walking or driving through floodwater.
• Tornado: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building—do not shelter under bridges. If no building, go to low ground & cover your head.
• Extreme Cold: Layer clothing, cover extremities, use emergency blankets; avoid alcohol (it increases heat loss).
• Extreme Heat: Find shade or air-conditioned public spaces (libraries, stores, shelters), stay hydrated, wet cloths help cool skin.
• Wildfire / Smoke: Use masks if available, move upwind and away from smoke when possible; seek medical help for breathing issues.

C. AFTER A DISASTER — Recovery & Rebuilding Stability

1. Health & Emotional Recovery

• Get medical checks for exposure-related conditions: frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, inhalation issues.
• Reach out to local clinics or mobile health units for free or low-cost care (OACAC, community clinics).
• Access counseling resources for trauma and stress (local mental health providers such as Burrell Behavioral Health).

2. Replacing Lost Documents

• Contact county social services or outreach organizations for help replacing IDs, birth certificates, benefit cards.
• Keep photocopies of critical documents in waterproof bags when possible.

3. Long-Term Help

• Work with outreach groups (Branson Outreach, Christian Action Ministries, Salvation Army) to find transitional housing or hotel vouchers.
• Register with housing assistance lists (state/local housing agencies, MHDC in Missouri) for longer-term placement.

D. Community Coordination

For outreach teams and volunteers: organize zones, maintain a contact list, and deploy pop-up stations.

Suggested Outreach Setup

• Assign outreach teams to geographic zones for wellness checks during warnings.
• Maintain a master contact list of families living outdoors (consent and privacy respected).
• Pop-up station kit: blankets, water, hygiene items, first aid, solar phone chargers, and printed shelter info.
• Use radio and local stations to broadcast shelter openings and weather messages when possible.

E. Quick Reference — Survival in Harsh Weather