Updating Your Hurricane Disaster Plan

After months of chilly days, lockdowns, and social restrictions, summer is looking brighter than ever. But don’t let the tropical heat and shining sun fool you, summer is also a time for destructive hurricanes.

Don’t let your family get caught off-guard in the months to come. If you haven’t already, it’s time to prepare yourselves. Read on to find out how to update your hurricane disaster plan to keep your loved ones safe this hurricane season.

Have a Family Discussion

The first step to creating a hurricane disaster plan is to have a family discussion.

Make sure that everyone, including the children, understands the seriousness of hurricane season. Educate yourself on the different terminologies used by the National Weather Service. That way, you understand the severity of the storms headed your way.

Your discussion should also include a detailed action plan with designated responsibilities.

Who is grabbing the pets? Who oversees the emergency disaster kit? Where are you meeting if you are separated?

Finally, make a list of all the things you need to remember if in case you have to evacuate.

• Prescriptions
• Personal items
• People and pets
• Papers (such as homeowner’s insurance)
• Priceless items

FEMA refers to this as the five Ps. Post this somewhere everyone can see it to serve as a reminder.

Keep Abreast of the Latest News

We all know that hurricane season waits for no one, not even a global pandemic. COVID-19 restrictions have the potential to impact how shelters function, such as limited capacity or isolation of high-risk categories. The CDC recommends that you get your COVID vaccine as soon as possible to mitigate your risk when sheltering.

You will also want to monitor the news regarding the location and capacity of shelters in your area. Make a list of those closest to you, including a few backup options. Don’t forget to investigate shelters for your pets as well.

Keep Your Emergency Kit Well-Stocked

Prepare an emergency kit that is easy to transport. This kit should include basic medical supplies, such as bandages, pain killers, and antiseptics. A flashlight with extra batteries, duct tape, rope, and candles with matches might also come in handy.

In terms of food, focus on non-perishables. Emergency food should be switched out for fresh supplies every one to two years to avoid spoilage. This included replacing fresh water as well.

One thing many people forget to include in their emergency kit is a list of their family’s medical information. If one of your family members gets injured, having their medical history will help expedite their treatment.

Finally, keep a spare set of clothes for each family member in a dry bag or zip lock bag. Once you get to a safe place, you’ll be glad to have something warm and dry to change into.

Update Your Hurricane Disaster Plan

Having a solid hurricane disaster plan helps keep your family safe when it matters most. Make sure that everyone is on the same page about your evacuation procedures and knows where to locate the emergency supplies. Don’t forget important documents, such as medical records and insurance information.

Along with knowing where your closest evacuation center is, you should have a route mapped to the nearest Corpus Christi emergency room. The highly trained staff at Physicians Premier are prepared to provide immediate and high-quality care. Come see us the next time you require medical assistance.  

Sources:

Pensacola Weather Forecast Office. “Tropical Definitions” National Weather Service, 8 June 2021, https://www.weather.gov/mob/tropical_definitions

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases. “Vaccines for COVID 19” CDC, 23 May 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html