This year’s National Emergency Preparedness Month is particularly important following the impact of flooding related to Hurricane Harvey in Texas and the impending arrival of Hurricane Irma in Florida.
September marks the Department of Homeland Security’s National Emergency Preparedness Month. 2017’s theme, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” emphasizes the need for all individuals and families to be ready for emergency situations by taking the time to make a plan before the worst happens.
The Department of Homeland Security has broken down the month by week to make planning easier. Each week, focus on taking small steps to create and implement an overall emergency plan. Week one, September 1 – 9, follow the guidance to “make a plan for yourself, family and friends.”
Making a plan starts with discussing what types of emergencies may arise and how to best prepare for each. Individuals and families should be prepared to evacuate, with designated meet up points identified, or shelter in place. Should evacuation orders be issued, everyone should have a route identified and be familiar with it. Should members of a family become separated, having points identified to meet is crucial to keeping everyone safe and together.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends considering the individual needs of each person in your plan, including medications, mobility issues, age, and possible language barriers. If necessary, designate certain people in your group to be responsible for various items related to evacuation, such as gathering needed medication, preparing pets for travel, or bringing important phone numbers. Have a list of information related to everyone in the household, including allergies, required medication or treatment, and a point of contact that is out of the local area.
Making a plan starts with discussing what types of emergencies may arise and how to best prepare for each.
This year’s National Emergency Preparedness Month is particularly important following the impact of flooding related to Hurricane Harvey in Texas and the impending arrival of Hurricane Irma in Florida. Communities are just beginning recovery efforts from Harvey, with storm-related deaths now at 70, as reported by Texas news affiliate NBC Dallas-Fort Worth on September 5.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Saturday, August 26, as a Category 4 storm in the Houston, Texas area and later moved into other areas of Texas and Louisiana, bringing heavy rains and flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency responded with the assistance of the U.S military and National Guard, the American Red Cross, and other organizations to help evacuate residents and answer emergency calls. Shelters were set up across the state to house displaced residents, with donations coming in from all around the country. The recovery efforts are estimated to take years. Initial estimates, reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth show that as many as 6,804 homes were destroyed, with over 170,000 with various amounts of damage.
Take evacuation orders from local officials seriously. Check with your local emergency management office if you’re unsure where to go. #Irma pic.twitter.com/vCrwL9ju6x
— FEMA (@fema) September 6, 2017
Hurricane Irma, now a Category 5 storm, is projected to hit the Florida coast the weekend of September 8. A state of emergency was declared by Florida’s Governor, Rick Scott, on Monday, September 4. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Monroe County visitors and residents and Miami-Dade individuals requiring special services. Numerous schools across the state have been closed for the remainder of the week.
The National Weather Service provides additional guidance for hurricane-related emergencies. They recommend knowing when hurricane conditions are likely and following all warnings and watches posted by national and local authorities. The specific threats of hurricanes include storm surge and flooding, which can often occur rapidly and without warning. Areas near rivers are particularly vulnerable to an increase in water levels that may leave many stranded or without resources.
Visit www.ready.gov to find tips and resources to help you make the most of National Emergency Preparedness Month. Join in the conversation on social media by sharing your emergency preparedness tips using the hashtags #NatlPrep and #PlanAhead.
