Learn how to care for your family and yourself in the event of winter storms, floods, epidemics or other natural disasters at the annual Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Disaster Readiness Fair. The free event will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 in the parking lot and lobby of the Silver Zone, the tallest building on the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center campus. There will be Emergency Department tours, decontamination demonstrations and a Coast Guard rescue helicopter on display.

Meeghan Black, host of KING Television’s “Evening Magazine,” will be a celebrity guest at the fair. Community providers and partners, including fire departments from several cities, utilities and the Red Cross will have information booths. Many booths will offer free literature about how to prepare your home, car and family for emergencies. Several booths will feature things just for children.

Evergreen family emergency preparedness kits – which contain enough supplies to help families survive for several days – will be available for purchase. A seasonal flu shot clinic will be held. Cost is $25 payable by check or cash.

The importance of being prepared to survive at home several days without outside assistance is crucial. Our region is overdue for a major earthquake plus forecasters predict a more severe winter than usual this year. Be prepared!

Parking, as always at Evergreen, is free. Evergreen is located at 12040 NE 128th St. in Kirkland. For more information, call 425-899-3000.