In the News: Getting Prepared for Hurricane Season

Planning for hurricane season can be extremely stressful for those living in areas that are prone to being struck by these natural disasters. This year can be especially difficult in planning and preparing, because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many places are still closed and/or have different guidelines in place that may not have been in place before. 

But if you take the time to go over some important family preparedness steps with your family, friends, loved ones and neighbors, then things do not have to be as stressful on you. 

Public health and emergency response professionals offer the following advice when it comes to helping you prepare, sheltering in place during a natural disaster, and safely evacuate if that is something that you need to do.

• Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your food, water and emergency medicine supplies, for you and your pets. Because supplies may be in demand in some areas, you may have a hard time finding the items you need.
• Pay attention to local guidance regarding evacuations and sheltering in place for you and your pets. Again, things may have changed even since last year and you do not want to find out that your evacuation route is no longer the route when the weather is already changing.
• Find out if your local public shelter is open.
• Follow every day preventative measures if you do need to shelter with family or in a public place. Respect everyone’s personal space, wash your hands regularly and cough/sneeze into your arm to prevent the spread of illness.
• Follow safety precautions when evacuating and be sure to follow all signage as posted.