Are You Prepared for the 2020 Hurricane Season?

With the 2020 Hurricane Season predicted to be a very active one, FEMA and (state) are urging families to prepare early as we face unprecedented challenges in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic environment.

In this new normal, answering personal preparedness questions is more important than ever. Where will you go if you have to evacuate? What are the requirements and limitations you will face if you go to a shelter? Will you have enough food, water, cash, medication, sanitizing supplies, PPE and other necessities to sustain you and your family for several days during evacuation?

Know the Hurricane Risks You May Face

Winds and Tornadoes

Flooding and Storm Surge

Before, During and After a Disaster, Stay Informed

Follow FEMA at:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FEMA/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/femaregion4

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fema/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/FEMA

Download the FEMA App

The recent tornado touchdowns in our region clearly show the need to be able to receive emergency weather alerts wherever you are. With the FEMA App on your phone or mobile device you can:

·Receive severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.

·Locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers.

·Apply for assistance: Easily access DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for federal disaster assistance.

·Information is available in Spanish: Easily toggle between English and Spanish for all features of the app.

·Custom emergency safety information: Save a custom list of the items in your family’s emergency kit, as well as the places you will meet in case of an emergency.

·Safety tips: Receive safety and preparedness reminders and learn how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.

You can also download the app via text messaging:

·If you have an Apple device: Text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA)

·If you have an Android device: Text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA)

Standard message and data rates apply.

Flood Insurance

Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). At Floodsmart.gov you can learn how to buy flood insurance, learn to understand your risk and how to reduce your risks and costs. Coverage takes 30 days from time of purchase to go into effect.

To support National Flood Insurance Program policyholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA is extending its 30-day grace period for policy renewals up to 120 days. This is effective for National Flood Insurance Program policies with an expiration date between February 13 – June 15, 2020.

Build a Kit(https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Medication, prescription and over-the-counter and medical supplies to last at least 7 days
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes
PPE - face masks or cloth coverings
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Tissues, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Make a Plan/Communications Plan

Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household:

1.How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

2.What is my shelter plan?

3.What is my evacuation route?

4.What is my family/household communication plan if an unexpected disaster strikes such as a tornado or active shooter situation?

Consider specific needs in your household. As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment.

Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Additional considerations are needed preparing a disaster plan for people with access or functional needs and disabilities and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

·Creating a support network. Check with those who can assist you, if needed. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit. Learn more at ready.gov/kit.

·Planning ahead for accessible transportation for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify local or private accessible transportation options.

·Informing a support network where your emergency supplies are; you may want to give one member a key to your house or apartment.

·Knowing location and availability of more than one facility for dialysis if dialysis is part of a health maintenance plan or routine or other life-sustaining treatment.

·Preparing to use medical equipment if a power outage occurs.

·Wearing medical alert tags or bracelets.

·Making note of the best way to communicate with you in an emergency if you have a communications disability.

·Planning how to evacuate with assistive devices or how to replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from such as Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance.

Tips for People who are deaf or hard of hearing

·Include a weather radio with text display and a flashing alert

·Extra hearing-aid batteries

·A TTY

·Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language

Tips for People who are blind or have low vision

·Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies on a portable flash drive, or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.

·Keep a Braille, or Deaf-Blind communications device in an emergency supply kit.

Tips for People with a mobility disability:

·If you use a power wheelchair, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Show others how to operate your wheelchair.

·Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, and if it is collapsible for transportation.

·Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.

·If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.

Include your PETS in your emergency plans

Make an emergency plan and build a separate emergency kit, including food, water and medicines, for your pets
Keep digital records and/or pictures to identify your pet after a disaster in case you become separated
Create a list of veterinarians and places, such as hotels, that accept pets if an emergency occurs

Find more on making a pet disaster plan at www.ready.gov/pets

Financial Preparedness

Having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recovery following a disaster. Taking the time now to collect and secure these critical records will give you peace of mind and, in the event of an emergency, will ensure that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay

·Gather financial and critical personal, household, and medical information.

·Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATM’s and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food.

·Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health, and life insurance if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what may be needed for you and your family for all possible hazards.

Brittany Gonzalez

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