Do you have a hurricane plan? By creating a disaster preparedness plan ahead of time, you and your family can be ready if or when the time comes. Check out these helpful tips!
While it’s nearly impossible to know when or how a disaster will hit, it is still possible to make a game plan.
With 2019’s hurricane season well underway, we can’t stress enough how important disaster preparedness is for you and your family! Putting in the work now could make all the difference when a storm hits.
Check out these helpful emergency preparedness tips, get together with your family, and make the plan that’s right for you.
WHAT will you bring?
Whether you’re forced to flee your home or stuck stranded inside, you’ll want a basic set of supplies that will last you at least three days. We recommend creating an easily portable disaster supply kit with the following items:
- One gallon of water per person per day (for three days).
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food (think: peanut butter, whole wheat crackers, protein bars, etc.)
- A battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
- A flashlight, along with extra batteries.
- A basic first aid kit
- A whistle or noisemaking device to signal for help.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- A basic toolset that includes a wrench or pliers
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Note: we recommend using a waterproof duffel or container and utilizing waterproof plastic bags to keep the contents of your emergency kit dry!
WHEN will you know about the emergency?
If you live in a state or area that has the potential to be affected by a hurricane, it’s crucial that you have an effective alert system in place. We recommend signing up for local alerts and warnings, monitoring local news and weather reports, and using smartphone apps with alert notification specific to your area.
WHERE will you go if you need to evacuate?
When faced with an emergency, the last thing you’ll want to do is worry about a map. By preparing an evacuation route and gaining increasing familiarity with your city’s layout, you’ll be able to think on your feet faster (even if something changes from your original plan).
- Keep your vehicle up to date, filled with gas, and able to drive at least several hundred miles.
- Identify several places on higher ground that you could seek shelter in an emergency (a relative’s home, a motel, or a public space).
- Download the FEMA app so that you can identify a list of official open shelters during an active disaster.
WHO will come with you?
While this may seem obvious, it helps tremendously to consider the family members, friends, or neighbors who might become a part of your evacuation group. Be sure to speak with each member about the plan you create, complete with a reunification plan in case of separation. (And don’t forget to consider pets!)
WRITE it down.
If you’re going through the work of making a disaster preparedness plan, we strongly recommend that you write it down in one place and make it easily accessible to the people you plan to share it with. Whether this is on a shared note on your phone or printed and taped to your refrigerator, this written plan could help you avoid confusion and mistakes when faced with an emergency. and ensure everyone in your home is prepared for the next storm
A wise word from The Ready Campaign: “Being prepared now will mean the difference between your being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor.”
But what happens if you aren’t prepared?
If you or your family is in need of help after a hurricane, the Endeavors® Disaster Case Management program is here to help.
Disaster Case Management is a service that assists people who have suffered as a result of an emergency situation. No matter how big or small your needs are, our program will do its best to connect you with a case manager to help you get back on their feet.
Think you don’t qualify? Disaster Case Management covers more than you may think! Click here to learn more about the Endeavors® Disaster Case Management program and how it can help you.
If you or a loved one are in need of disaster assistance, we would love to connect with you. We are passionate about serving vulnerable people in crisis, improving their quality of life in innovative, personal ways. Click here to connect with someone from our team and learn more about the many ways Endeavors® can help!
In addition to providing Disaster Case Management and Emergency Services, we also help connect military families to clinics, provide emergency staffing services, create long-term recovery plans, and far more.
Note: More information and tips are also available at Ready.gov, FEMA, and AccuWeather