Stay ahead of a storm by visiting the National Hurricane Center or tuning into your local news channel.
Please do not under-estimate any storm. Even without direct impact, it is usually the power outages and supply disruptions that cause the most problems. If you have not yet created a plan, you still have time. Here are so me tips and resources to help you:
Please do not under-estimate any storm. Even without direct impact, it is usually the power outages and supply disruptions that cause the most problems. If you have not yet created a plan, you still have time. Here are so me tips and resources to help you:
- Leave the path of the hurricane if possible. Find out if you are in an evacuation zone. If you can't weather the storm with a relative, friend, or perhaps a hotel, find an emergency shelter.
- Keep your car's gas tank full. Top off your tank every day. Lines will get long and gas may become scarce the closer a storm gets. Pumps may not operate if the power is out.
- Go to the grocery store TODAY! Supplies dwindle quickly. You should have a gallon of water per person each day for 3 days, preferably longer. Stock up on non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration, including pet supplies.
- Refill your prescription medication. You should have a minimum two-week supply of all your prescription medications. According to Florida law, you can obtain a 30-day refill of your prescription medication - even if you have just refilled it. This law applies if you reside in county that:
- Is under a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service; or
- Is under a state of emergency executive order declared by the Governor; or
- Has activated its emergency operations center/emergency management plan
- Consider having extra cash on hand. ATMs typically do not operate without electricity.
- Here are some some tips for what to do if the power is out.
Things to add to your Go-Bag of supplies:
- Battery chargers and extra batteries for motorized wheelchairs, or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices.
- Copies of medical prescriptions, doctors orders, and the style and serial numbers of the support devices you use.
- Medical alert tags or bracelets or written descriptions of your disability and support needs, in case you are unable to describe the situation in an emergency.
- An autonomic dysreflexia card if you are susceptible to it. You can print one by downloading a PDF copy of FSCIRC's card.
- Supplies for your service animal, medical insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, physician contact information, list of your allergies and health history.
- A list of the local non-profit or community-based organizations that know you or assist people with access and functional needs similar to yours.
- A list of personal contacts, family and friends that you may need to contact in an emergency.
- If possible, extra medicine, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use regularly.
- If you use a motorized wheelchair, have a light weight manual chair available for emergencies. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
- Even if you do not use a computer yourself, consider putting important information onto a portable thumb drive for easy transport in an evacuation.
Here are some links for further information:
- The Florida Disability Disaster Plan web page - This resource, developed by Volunteer Florida and hosted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, is one of several tools available to help persons with disabilities and their families develop a "Florida specific" Disaster Plan. Find county information on sheltering, plan creation, and videos.
- ready.gov - Launched in February 2003, Ready is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist at tacks. Visit the People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs page where you can find some tips and tricks to help you prepare. Ready.gov advises those with disabilities to: (1) Get a Kit of emergency supplies, (2) Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency, and (3) Be Informed about what might happen. For further details, download a PDF version of Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers much information on disaster preparedness for special populations. Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (FEMA 476), provides disaster preparedness information specific to people with disabilities and other special needs, including the elderly. Also available in Spanish.
- Information on Emergency Preparedness from Disability.gov - Provides links to resources, plans, federal laws, and more. There is also a specific Florida Resource section.
- The Red Cross recommends some safety steps and tips to prepare for a hurricane.
- Emergency preparedness links from the Florida Department of Health Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program.
