What to Do During an Emergency
Emergency Planning
1. You will be alerted of an emergency in one or more of the
following manners
- A Wireless Emergency Alert on your cellular phone or device
- A CodeRed Emergency Alert on your cellular and/or home telephone (Requires registering on the Code Red System: Luzerne County | Columbia County )
- Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages on TV and radio
2. Turn on your radio or television
- Do not evacuate unless directed by emergency personnel
- Tune your TV or radio to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for
information. - The following stations are a part of the Emergency Alert System:
Television
- WNEP 16
- WBRE 28
- WYLN 35
- WYOU 22
Luzerne County AM Radio
- WILK 980
- WAZL 1490
- WZMF 730
- WITK 1550
- WQFM 1240
- WKZN 1300
- WYCK 1340
Luzerne County FM Radio
- WBSX 97.9
- WRKC 88.5
- WKRZ 98.5
- WRGN 88.1
- WCLH 90.7
- WMGS 92.9
- WBHT 97.1
- WFUZ 92.1
- WILK 103.1
- WMQX 102.3
- WSJR 93.7
- WSFX 89.1
- WGGY 101.3
- WWRR 104.9
- WEZX 106.9
Columbia County AM Radio
- WHLM 930
- WKOK 1070
- WBWX 1280
Columbia County FM Radio
- WQSU 88.9
- WQKX 94.1
- WPGM 96.7
- WMMZ 103.5
- WCFT 106.5
- WILQ 105.1
- WKSB 102.7
- Listen to your radio or television and follow instructions.
3. During an evacuation, if children are in school
- Do not go to schools to pick up children.
- Tune into a local EAS station on your radio and follow instructions for picking up your children.
- See School Information and Student Pickup Points page for more information.
4. Individuals with access and functional needs
If you will need help responding to an evacuation order, do the following:
- Fill out the Request for Special Assistance card and mail it today.
- Call your Emergency Management Office at the number listed on the Evacuation Map, Routes and Reception Centers page.
5. If asked to shelter in-place
- Stay in your home.
- Close all doors and windows. Turn off fans and air conditioners.
- Use the telephone only for an emergency.
6. If asked to evacuate
- You will have plenty of time to act in an emergency. DO NOT HURRY! You may get hurt by rushing.
- Refer to the evacuation route identified for your municipality located on the Evacuation Map, Routes and Reception Centers page for more information..
- Bring the items suggested on the Pre-emergency and Emergency Checklists page.
7. Public inquiries
- For additional information call your County’s Public Inquiry phone number.
- Columbia County: 570-389-5738 (570-784-6300 TDD)
- Luzerne County: 800-821-3716