Hurricanes are a threat to our area and everyone must plan for a hurricane, particularly people with disabilities or mobility concerns. The time to start planning is NOW - if you wait until a hurricane threatens the area, it will be too late. Take the time now to develop your own personal plan for surviving a hurricane. Plan for actions to take before, during and after a hurricane. Consult your service support agencies, home healthcare providers (if any), family, friends, neighbors and physician, if necessary. Ask them to assist you with your hurricane plan.

Before the Disaster

There are several important things that can be done in order to reduce the effects of a disaster:

1. Make sure you have a support system in place.
2. Complete your individual personal assessment and prepare your individual disaster plan.
3. Gather the supplies you will need before, during and after a disaster. Make sure the supplies are specific to your disability.
4. Make sure your residence is as safe as possible in the event of an emergency. Remember, preparedness must begin with you.

Support System

A support system, sometimes called the “buddy system,” can help you prepare for a disaster as well as during and after a disaster. Members of your support system, or “buddies”, can be roommates, relatives, neighbors, friends, and coworkers. They should be people you trust to determine if you need assistance. Your support system members should know your capabilities and needs, and be able to help in a matter of minutes.

1. Have your “buddies” assist you in preparing a written personal assessment.
2. Give your support system copies of your emergency information list, medical information list, disability related supplies and special equipment list, evacuation plans, any emergency documents and your personal disaster plan.
3. Arrange for your support system to check on you immediately if local officials give an evacuation order or if a disaster occurs.
4. Agree on the methods of communication to be used during a disaster.
5. Give your “buddies” any keys they need for your place of residence or vehicle.
6. Make sure your support system knows how to operate and transport any equipment specific to your disability. Make sure it is labeled and laminated instruction cards are attached.
7. If you have a service animal, insure that the animal is familiar with your support system members and have written instructions
on any care the animal may require.
8. Review and update your personal assessment and disaster plan with your support system on a regular basis.“Practice your plan”.

Personal Assessment

The assistance you will need before, during, and after a disaster will be determined by the nature of the disaster itself, your individual capabilities, and your limitations. The answers to the following questions should be written or recorded and distributed to all of your support system:

Personal Care: Do you need assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and grooming? Do you use adaptive equipment to help you get dressed?

Water Service: What will you do if there is no water for several days? What will you do if you are unable to heat water?

Personal Care Equipment: Do you use a shower chair, tub-transfer bench, or other similar equipment?

Adaptive Feeding Devices: Do you use special utensils that help you prepare or eat food independently.

Electricity Dependent Equipment: What equipment do you have that runs on electricity and how will you operate it if electrical service is disrupted?

Transportation: Do you need a specially equipped vehicle or accessible transportation?

Necessities: Who will get groceries, medication, and medical supplies? How will this be accomplished if the roads are blocked because of the disaster?

Evacuating: Do you need assistance if you must evacuate?

Exits: Who will you call if you need help exiting your residence? What available alternate exits are in your residence?

Service animals and pets: Who will care for your animal( s) in case of an emergency?

Personal Disaster Preparation: Remember, preparedness must begin with you. Preparation, which includes practice is the key to success in dealing with a disaster. Preparation is an ongoing process. Keep in mind that the usual means of support and assistance may not be available during an evacuation and after the disaster. Prepare a personal disaster plan. Included in this guide is information for the plan and a disaster plan checklist for you to follow. Keep several copies at different accessible locations, and remember, share the plan with your support system.

Emergency Information List: An emergency information list is to let others know the people that should be called if you are found unconscious, unable to speak, or need assistance to evacuate. Include emergency out-of-town contacts as well as all names and numbers of your support system. Have a relative or friend who lives from 50-100 miles away from you as your “contact person”. This is advisable because normally someone outside a disaster area is more able to be contacted. Ask your contact person to relay information to others; this will help reduce phone calls into and out of the affected area. Be sure your emergency information list states the best way to communicate with you.

Medical Information List: A medical information list could contain information about your medical providers, the name, dosage and prescribing physician of medications, your medical condition and physician’s phone number. List any adaptive equipment you use, your allergies and sensitivities, and communication or cognitive difficulties you may have. Attach copies of health insurance cards. Make arrangements to have additional medication, to last a recommended minimum of 14 days, in case of a disaster. Have additional copies of prescriptions.

General Preparation Information: Install adequate smoke detectors. If you are hearing impaired, install a system that utilizes strobe lights. Test your detectors monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. Write down the location of the utility cutoff valves and how they are turned off, if directed by city officials. Have the proper tools available and provide this information to your support system members. Remember, if it is necessary to turn off the gas, it should only be turned back on by a professional. Have a floor plan of your residence. Note your primary and alternate escape routes. Practice using different ways out of your residence. Note the location of your disaster supply kit. Make arrangements for your pets in case of a disaster. Emergency shelters will only accept service animals. Prepare an evacuation plan. Make arrangements for evacuation and transportation assistance if necessary. Make arrangements for a place to stay outside of your area in case of an evacuation. Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank filled during hurricane season.

Disaster Plan Checklist

As you complete each section of your personal Disaster Plan, mark the date completed on the checklist below: Review and update your plan on a regular basis.

1. Make an Emergency Information List. Include the following:

♦ Medical and emergency contact information
♦ Emergency out-of-town contacts
♦ Names and numbers of your support system
♦ Name and number of a “contact” person who lives 50-100 miles from you
♦ Means of communication if you have a communication disability

2. Make a Medical Information List. Include the following:

♦ Medical providers
♦ Medications you use
♦ Adaptive equipment, body support equipment
♦ Allergies and sensitivities
♦ Communications or cognitive difficulties
♦ Attach copies of health insurance cards.

3. Have an additional 14 day supply of medication available.

4. Have extra copies of prescriptions.