The City of Mountlake Terrace advises residents that snow and windstorms, floods, earthquakes, fire, extended power outages and influenza outbreaks are emergencies that the Puget Sound area has experienced and they can happen at any time.

It is important to take time to prepare for potential emergencies as winter approaches.

People should prepare to take care of themselves, their family, and pets for several days in case the City is unable to help right away. For those who are already prepared, it is time to review plans and check supplies.

Make a kit with emergency supplies, one for home and one for the car. Check out the city’s website and get started on your emergency plan before the storms arrive.

In 2011, the City of Mountlake Terrace was awarded a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to construct and equip an Emergency Operations Center; the city contributed another $100,000 for the project.

The city’s EOC is used to coordinate response and recovery efforts during times of local disaster, assessing threats to life and property, coordinating fire, police and EMS resources, maintaining communications and informing state and surrounding jurisdictions of the local disaster situation.

In times when a larger scale response is necessary, the EOC works with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency — a regional disaster response organization that includes the EOCs of Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood and several other local communities — and with the Washington State Emergency Management Division.

Everyone should have a plan for his or her family and neighbors. Take the time now to get prepared. For more information, go to www.cityofmlt.com, “For Residents” and click on Emergency Preparedness.