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It's hard to get a handle of the enormity of the recent disasters in China and Myanmar. Hundred of thousands are dead. Millions are left homeless. Another wave of death is expected due to disease and exposure.

And while this catastrophe, as well as the recent Myanmar cyclone are half a world away, they remind us to be as prepared as possible because we never know when trouble will strike close to home.

The Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Preparation has boxes and boxes of a new booklet, "Yakima Valley Family Planning Guide for You and Your Family," in English and Spanish. The booklet and companion Web site (http://www.co.yakima.wa.us/oem/) include information on types of disasters and assembling and maintaining a disaster supply kit. They encourage every household to create an emergency plan.

For instance, the guide advises keeping 1 gallon of water per person per day for a three-day period.

Tina Wilson of Emergency Management, located in the basement of the county courthouse, wants as many people as possible to have this information in hand. We encourage people to stop by or to contact Wilson at 574-1900 to get a booklet. It might not be a bad idea for landlords to make sure their tenants have a copy.

Once you have it in hand, we encourage you to read and act on it. The more we can do to be prepared, the better.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Sarah Jenkins, Bill Lee and Karen Troianello.