Disaster Planning: People with Chronic Disease

"Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornados and wildfires, can be stressful and devastating for persons living with a chronic disease. Learn tips to help reduce the risk of illness or serious health complications in a disaster.

• Make an emergency planexternal icon and kitexternal icon. Maintain at least a three-day supply of water, food, and medicine. Consider signing up for SMART911external icon, Code Redexternal icon, or your local county registry. These services help first responders identify people who may need assistance in a disaster.
• If you -need to leave your home, know where to go (e.g., family members house, shelter) and be prepared to leave quickly. Have medicines, medical records, insurance information, and healthcare provider’s information, with you.
• Ask your doctor for an extra supply of prescribed medicines, and have a list of all prescription medicines (including name, dose, and pharmacy information). If staying in a shelter or temporary housing, tell the staff about your health problems, special needs and any medicines you are taking.
• Keep medicines, supplies, and equipment out of the heat and in a safe and waterproof location. If you use medical equipment that works with electricity, learn How to Prepare and Handle Power Outages pdf icon[PDF – 5KB]external icon.
• Check if the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) is activated after a disaster. This free service helps residents get medicine, medical supplies, medical equipment and vaccines that were lost, stolen, or damaged due to the disaster. Call 855-793-7470 to enroll or visit the EPAP websiteexternal icon. Check RX Openexternal icon to find open pharmacies.
• Take steps to avoid getting an infection or illness. Clean up, disinfect, and wash your hands often, and stay away from moldy or dirty places. If you do not have soap and clean water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Seek immediate medical care if a wound develops redness or swelling, or if you have other signs of infection, such as fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, confusion, disorientation or high heart rate..."
  Disaster planning

Guidance about Planning for Natural Disaster Debris

"The 2019 “Planning for Natural Disaster Debris” guidance is an update to the version that EPA published in March 2008. It is designed to help all communities (including cities, counties, territories, tribes, etc.) create disaster debris management plans, which EPA strongly encourages.

The Planning for Natural Disaster Debris guidance assists communities in planning for natural disaster debris before a disaster occurs, including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, floods, wildfires and winter storms, by providing useful, relevant information that is intended to increase community preparedness and resiliency. Information is included on the following:

• Recommended components of a debris management plan,
• Suggested management options for various natural disaster debris streams,
• A collection of case studies that highlights how several communities prepared for and managed debris generated by recent natural disasters,
• Resources to consult in planning for natural disasters, and
• EPA’s recommended pre-incident planning process to help prepare communities for effective disaster debris management.."
  Natural disaster debris

Travel and natural disasters

"Although rare, natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, or earthquakes could occur while you are on a trip. Natural disasters can seriously injure large numbers of people, contribute to the spread of some diseases, disrupt sanitation, and interrupt normal public services. Travelers should be familiar with risks for natural disasters at their destination and local warning systems, evacuation routes, and shelters.

Be Prepared

• Be informed, make a plan, make a kit:
  • Be informed: know what type of emergencies happen in the area where you are traveling.
  • Make a plan: have safe places identified for your family and others with whom you are traveling to meet if separated, and make sure you know how to let them know you are okay.
  • Make a kit: your travel health kit should include first-aid supplies, copies of important documents (such as passport or prescriptions), and a list of emergency contacts..."
    Travel and disasters

National Preparedness Month (September)

September 2015 is National Preparedness Month and you may find resources at FEMA.com to use in preparing for an unexpected natural emergency.
National Preparedness

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse
Suggested things to do in an emergency: hurricanes, tornaodes, other natural disasters, and health related disasters such as pandemics.