Hurricane Preparedness for the Disabled

Hurricanes are a variety of storms that occur from June to October and can causedevastating damage to structures--they also displace, injure, and even kill hundreds everyyear. These storms can be quite mild at times and cause little to no damage or injury; butthat same storm, when combined with the right pressure or temperature, could becomedamaging and possibly even fatal. America is the most severe weather-prone country onearth; no one else has the variety and recurrence of sever weather patterns as the U.S.does.Because hurricanes recur every year and in many different states across the U.S., andbecause they can cause so much damage, preparing for this kind of emergency is perhapsthe most important emergency planning a person can do. And because there are so manydifferent types and levels of severity in these storms, people basically have to prepare foranything and everything to go wrong if they are to be prepared for all the different types ofweather that could happen in their area.It is even more important to those who are not able to move freely or who are chronicallyill. More than anyone else, disabled persons need to prepare for hurricanes and make plansfar in advance. They are at a disadvantage, but they should be able to survive just as wellas anyone else as long as they are prepared.The first step to hurricane preparedness is hurricane awareness. Disabled people should beaware of any emergency buildings or phone numbers, and they should know whereemergency supplies will be handed out if possible. Communities will also often have somesort of warning system if there is a hurricane in the area, so know where to look for thoseand how to interpret the different levels of severity. It’s also imperative that people watchor listen to the news during hurricane season (June-October), so they’ll have warning alongwith everyone else.They should also know that is a difference between a storm watch and a storm warning. Awatch is when there is a possibility of a hurricane being in or near the area sometime in thenext 36 hours. A warning, however, is when a hurricane will certainly be, or already is in thearea. Watches mean to be wary; warnings mean to prepare for the worst and to evacuate iftold to do so.There could be other, community-specific codes and warnings, which is why it is soimportant to be well aware of the community’s plan of action during any emergency,especially a storm.Besides just knowing the basics of hurricane survival in the area, it’s also important for eachindividual to have a plan. Every member of the household should know the plan to the bestof their ability; when possible, run emergency drills. This will familiarize everyone with whatwill be a very stressful situation, should a storm ever force the drill to become a reality.These plans are especially important for disabled persons to practice. People in wheelchairs,with walkers, on oxygen or dialysis, or any other number of disabilities need to understandtheir role in emergency preparedness. During a hurricane, people will be panicking and itwill probably be very difficult to think straight. If they practice, however, then beingprepared will just be habit and people won’t make mistakes that could cost them their lives.As far as individual plans go, each household should establish at least two different meetingplaces--one in the neighborhood, and one elsewhere, just in case it isn’t safe. Be sure thatchildren know what to do when they’re at school, and check with managers or companyowners to find out what the workplace is doing as far as disaster preparedness.When it comes to disabled persons, even more preparation is involved. Create a supportnetwork to help in an emergency; this network could include family members, neighbors, orfriends. Be sure to tell them where you keep your emergency supplies so they can help ifanything ever happens. It’s also a good idea to give one trusted member of the supportnetwork a key to the house or apartment. People cannot help during a hurricane if there’sno way in.

Finally, disabled peoples need to contact their city or county government's emergencyinformation management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities sothey can be located quickly in a sudden emergency. These officials can be a vital part of thesupport network, since they will have the manpower and supplies to help disabled persons.It’s imperative that the disabled wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify theirdisability. If they are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know thelocation and availability of more than one treatment facility, since the storm could closedown the closest, more familiar ones. Be sure to show those in the support network how tooperate a wheelchair, and know the size and weight of that wheelchair, in addition towhether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.Finally, encourage electronic payments for federal benefit recipients. Hurricanes can delaymail for weeks at a time--and can occasionally even destroy it. And if disabled people areforced to evacuate because of a hurricane, they may never get the lost (or stolen) checks. Ifpeople are dependent on Social Security benefits or other recompense from thegovernment, then they should seriously consider going electronic and having them directlydeposit that money into their bank accounts.Sometimes it will not be safe to return home during or even after a hurricane, which is whyit’s so important to have a meeting spot besides the house. Disabled persons especiallyneed to know what to do if they are ever caught outside during a storm: basically, theymust find shelter, preferably indoors as quickly as possible. The safest place indoors isusually below ground and away from any windows or doors.Being aware of hurricanes before they occur is the first step to avoiding any disaster, butthere is a good deal more to do before anyone can comfortably sit back and relax during aterrible storm. After people learn about severe weather, they must prepare for it. Thispreparation takes the form of storm proofing the house and having medical supplies andsome training.Ambulances cannot drive any better than a regular car on roads that have been totallyblocked by debris or in winds that are simply too strong. People must know how to takecare of themselves as well as they can, or there will be many more casualties of thisweather than there needs to be.Storm-proofing the home can be broken down into three easy-to-remember parts: storm-proof the roof, the windows, and the doors. In order to storm-proof the roof, first determinewhat type it is. Old gable roofs are susceptible to high winds; these can be fortified byeither adding additional braces and galvanized metal hurricane straps or calling a builder tocome examine and analyze the risk.The second option is probably best, even if the builder does nothing but tell his customershow much work needs to be done. Even if the roof looks as though it is in good shape, onlyprofessionals are qualified to make that judgment. Therefore, at the very least, peopleshould let the builder tell them what’s wrong with the roof before attempting to fix itthemselves. Although it sounds cliché, the old saying, “Better safe than sorry” applies here.Next, try to get someone from the support network to storm proof the windows. While themost effective way to protect windows and glass doors is to install storm shutters, for thosewithout the resources to do so, then precut wood will also work fairly well. Both kinds ofsupplies can be found at any typical “Home Depot” kind of store; and if someone isn’tcertain of what sort of supplies they need, they shouldn’t be afraid to ask. Storm safety isthe most important thing, and remaining misinformed could have grave consequences.Finally, storm proofing the doors is yet another easy solution: because the hinges on mostdoors aren’t strong enough to withstand powerful winds, consider installing extra hinges. Itdoesn’t cost much, it’s easy to do without the help of a professional, and it will come withthe peace of mind that only those who are certain their house won’t be completely blownover in the next bad winter storm can have.People must also take the time to prepare themselves for emergencies, and that doesn’tjust mean taking CPR classes (although it is a good idea). Everyone should have a stormemergency kit, just in case. According to the authorities, these kits should contain at least

two weeks’ worth of food and water for every member of the family. The food should benonperishable and easy to prepare, like these MREs, or freeze-dried food. Storms can causemajor damage to water mains, so it could be many days before it is safe to drink water outof the tap again; hence, the two week water supply.Storms are unpredictable, and as stated above, come in such a variety that they canliterally cause any kind of damage to any kind of structure. Therefore, it is vital to have acomprehensive emergency kit. Good kits will include different types of light (flashlights,lightsticks, etc.), a first aid kit, cash and important information, sleeping materials andshelter, and any other important items like prescription medication. Have this kit, knowwhere it is (and make sure everyone else in the household knows too), and make sure thateveryone knows how to use it.For the disabled, also include the following items in the emergency kit: prescriptionmedicines, a list of medications including dosage, a list of any allergies, extra eyeglassesand hearing-aid batteries, extra wheelchair batteries, and oxygen. Also keep a list of thestyle and serial number of medical devices, medical insurance and Medicare cards, and a listof doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.Little things, like keeping the car’s gas tank full in case authorities order an evacuation, oreven making plans for the family pet, often doesn’t cross people’s minds until it’s actuallytime to go; and then it’s too late. Remember details like that, or like removing dead foliageor underbrush to lessen the chance of a fire if lighting strikes. If people do not allowthemselves to be caught unawares, then the storm does not have to be a catastrophe.Finally, the last thing the disabled can do in order to ensure their survival and the survivalof their family members during a storm is remain informed. Have an emergency, battery-powered radio so everyone can listen to updates. If the storm is severe enough thateveryone has to stay inside, then odds are, all the electricity will be out as well. Hurricanesare dangerous and should never be taken lightly, even if they seem harmless. The severitycan change in an instant, so it is crucial that people do not leave their homes untilauthorities have announced that the state of crisis is over.