Sidney residents face hundreds of potential risks every day, from driving cars to walking the dog. Everything we do presents some hazard. We generally take action to limit the risks we face … like putting on our seatbelts or putting a dog on a leash when crossing the road.

Risks, in this website, are limited to those major emergencies and disasters that can potentially impact the people of our community.

The Town of Sidney completed a Community Risk Assessment in 2007 that assessed where we are particularly vulnerable to a wide range of threats. 

From this work, we can focus on four major types of hazards:

· Wind storm or snow storm

· Hazardous materials release

· Earthquake

· Prolonged power outage

This does not mean that we should not prepare for other threats. Depending on where we live, we may be exposed to others hazards. Further, risks may vary as our community and the world around us changes.

Some hazards occur more frequently, like wind storms and power outages, while others may be less frequent, like earthquakes and hazardous materials spills. All are important to take into account when thinking about preparedness.

Some hazards may be more damaging to certain people and we should prepare accordingly. For example, someone who depends on a regular supply of prescription medicine may be more vulnerable to hazards that disrupt transportation, like snow storms and earthquakes, than to a hazardous material spill or extended power outage.

Therefore, you should assess your own risks with attention to your personal situation. You may also want to add your own risks to this list. Knowing about these risks and what you can do about them is the first step in preparedness.