As the 2024 hurricane season approaches in Southwest Florida, memories of Hurricane Ian remain vivid. It’s crucial to be prepared for an evacuation at a moment's notice, especially if you face unique health challenges. Highlighting this urgency, Colorado State University's hurricane forecast for 2024 is predicting 23 named storms.
This guide is tailored to ensure your health needs don't get overlooked in a hurricane emergency:
1. Medicine, Doctors, Care Plan, Supplies, and Health Care Documents:
- Compile a detailed list of your medications and medical providers, complete with contact info. Store this list in multiple formats, including digital copies on cloud services for accessibility from anywhere.
- Prepare a detailed care plan letter outlining your health management in emergencies. This letter can include items such as insulin routines for diabetics. Pack necessary supplies to last at least a week and store them in a waterproof container, readily accessible even in case of physical constraints.
2. Physical Evacuation Route, Safe Havens, Places with Generators, Health Care Facilities, and Friends and Families Homes:
- Outline your evacuation route and safe destinations, considering personal and geographical factors. Establish a backup plan if you’re unable to drive or move easily, and contact local Emergency Management to identify facilities equipped with generators and suitable accommodations.
3. Fiduciary Responsibility and Caretaker Backup Plan:
- If you care for someone, prepare similarly for both of you and establish a backup support system in case you face an emergency yourself.
4. Buddy System, Friends, and Family:
- Discuss and plan your emergency strategies with family and friends, ensuring everyone knows their role. This may seem redundant to the other topics above and below; however, it stresses the need to plan ahead and discuss your plans with your family and friends.
5. Pets, Pets Health, Pet Backup Plan:
Pets are a part of our family and the need to plan ahead is equally as important and can be the most stressful under an emergency situation. Where to go and what to take with you is similar to the choices and planning discussed for you and your family. It is suggested that you have at least three days of supplies available at all times in case of an emergency. Check out FEMA's Ready Program at www.Ready.gov. Also see www.petmd.com and www.Humanesociety.org.
Some of the comprehensive websites for Emergency Health Care Planning are the following: www.hcoem.org, www.Floridadisaster.org, and www.Collierem.org.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." – Benjamin Franklin.
This adage rings especially true in hurricane preparedness, where planning and readiness can significantly mitigate the risks to your health and safety.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and let’s face the 2024 hurricane season informed and ready!