Prepare yourself and your neighbors for an Emergency

Disasters like tropical storms are notable for their scale, unpredictability or both. A tropical storm can leave devastation in its wake. The impact of such an event is often most severe for people who failed to plan for emergencies. You probably have friends, family and neighbors who have no plans for how to act when a disaster is imminent, or how to respond after one has struck.

There are three basic steps and you can choose to do one, some or all, in any order. You can also either organize a group or simply help one neighbor or friend with these ways to prepare. Your efforts, big or small, could save lives.

STEP 1: SECURE VITAL DOCUMENTS

An emergency or disaster can erase the vital documents and records of our lives instantly.

See list of vital documents below and make copies.

Exercise vigilance so documents are not lost, misplaced or left unprotected.

What You’ll Need:

• A printer or copier;
• Sufficient paper;
• Gallon-size, plastic zip-close bags to act as a weatherproof tote;
• Vigilance so documents are not lost, misplaced or left unprotected.

STEP 2: PREPARE BASIC EMERGENCY SUPPLY KITS

Emergency supply kits should have the essentials to meet someone’s basic needs for a few days. Many people have these items in their homes but have not organized them into a kit. See checklist below for important items to include in your emergency supply kit.

You can create a “Stay Kit” so you’re prepared if you choose to ride out a storm at home, and a “Go Kit” if you need to evacuate. Make sure you include COVID-19 supplies such as alcohol-based sanitizing wipes, several cloth masks, a small bottle of bleach, and nitrile or latex rubber gloves in both kits.

If you have the time and ability, consider identifying neighbors who might need assistance and assemble their kits from items they already have in their homes. Consider purchasing any missing items for them to ensure that their kits are adequately stocked.

STEP 3: DEVELOP AN EVACUATION PLAN

Create an evacuation plan that considers older friends and neighbors and their specific needs.

An evacuation plan provides a sense of control during an emergency, which can be a chaotic and frightening time.

Your plan should include several options for hotel accommodations. It’s best call ahead to ensure that you can find lodging if needed. Be prepared to protect yourself from COVID-19 when evacuating. Disinfect touch surfaces and wash or sanitize your hands often.

Sheltering at home or with friends or family: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidance, urging Americans to consider sheltering in place or evacuating to the homes of friends or family members outside the storm area. The CDC guidance recognizes that there is risk of spreading COVID-19 in a hurricane shelter. If you decide a shelter is the safest option in a major hurricane, you should observe social-distancing rules, wear a cloth face covering and frequently wash your hands.

Remember to Plan For Fallen Trees. If a falling limb or tree smashes a fence or a deck, your insurance policy may not cover it. You may have to pay for tree removal services out of your own pocket – as well as repairs for the smashed property. Look at your policy now and other tips.

Storm Surge: Hurricanes’ Biggest Killer is Nothing to Take Lightly. AARP New York urges any New Yorker living near a waterway to plan for storm surge when a hurricane is approaching. Courtesy of AARP Florida, here's how to avoid surges.

Generator Safety. Consider purchasing a backup power generator, and familiarize yourself with how to use them. AARP Florida offers these ways to protect yourself from toxic fumes.

If you have the time and ability, consider leading an evacuation plan for your own street, neighborhood or subdivision.

Create an evacuation plan that considers everyone’s specific needs. See checklist below.

Consider connecting with your local Citizen Corps Council and/or Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Find local Citizen Corps contacts at http://www.ready.gov/citizen-corps/find-your-nearest-council.

STEP 4: DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION

Simply distributing this important information to community members is a great way to help others.

If your neighborhood has an email listserv, you can also send documents and links electronically. Include a link to https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

To help protect community members during and after a disaster, make copies of the Emergency Prepare Checklists that are best suited for your group, distribute them and ask people to commit to helping someone else get prepared. Checklists and Tip Sheets include:

• Vital Document Checklist
• Basic Emergency Supply Kit Checklist
• Evacuation Plan Checklists
• Basic Tips for Emergency Planning
• Getting Back on Track After an Emergency

Coping With the Anxieties, Fears and Stresses of a Hurricane. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with fear, anxiety and dread as the storm goes closer or to witness the devastation after it's gone. With plenty of experience coping with hurricanes and tropical storms, AARP Florida offers some tips how you can cope.

AFTER THE STORM

Generator, Chainsaw Storage Tips to Ensure Usage After a Storm Hits. Before storing any gasoline-powered equipment, proper maintenance is key. That includes cleaning the equipment inside and out, removing or disconnecting the battery, changing the engine oil and – this is important – adding stabilizer to the fuel. Get all AARP Florida’s tips.

Natural Disasters Bring a Flood of Scams! Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists ready to take advantage of suffering and confusion. Watch out for these three scams, courtesy of AARP Florida.

Stop Scammers! Need property repairs after a storm? Download AARP Florida’s check list to protect yourself from scams and price gouging. English | Spanish

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VITAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

An emergency or disaster can erase the vital documents and records of our lives instantly if we haven’t prepared in advance. Using the Vital Document Checklist, collect all the important papers that apply to you. Make copies and store them in a weatherproof tote — even a large, plastic zip-top bag works. Keep your packet of documents someplace easily accessible so that you can get to it quickly in the event you need to evacuate in a hurry.

• Personal identification like passport, driver's license and voter ID card
• Personal Medication Record and medical and immunization records
• Social Security card
• Health insurance cards
• Financial records like recent tax returns, bank statements, retirement accounts, credit card numbers and records of any stocks and/or bonds
• Insurance policies
• Deed(s) to your house or other properties
• Family records like wills, birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, child custody, and death certificates.
• Legal titles (home, auto) and/or lease agreements.
• Important phone numbers of family members, friends, doctors, insurers — anyone who needs to know where you are
• Records of passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs)
• Video and photo inventory documenting your valuables and the interior and exterior of your home
• Cash and/or traveler’s checks
• “Basic Tips for Emergency Planning” handout

BASIC EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

Be prepared for an emergency or disaster by gathering basic supplies you’ll need to endure a crisis that leaves you without utilities, telephone or Internet and will provide nourishment for several days.

A good rule of thumb is to have enough supplies to last each person at least three days.

Make sure to include any items for those with special needs, including babies or pets.

Rotate food and water to ensure nothing has expired and check or replace batteries as needed to keep your kit up-to-date.

For a complete list of supply-kit items and more information on creating a kit, visit www.ready.gov.

The right container will vary in a number of ways, depending on size, weight and the storage space available. Ideally, the container you use should be portable, durable and waterproof.

Essentials:

• Water (one gallon per day per person)
• Food (canned and dry goods, high-calorie food bars)
• Personal first-aid kit
• Battery-powered flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Battery-powered radio (with extra batteries)
• Personal Medication Record
• Prescriptions

Extras:

• Hygienic items (toothbrush/hand sanitizer/etc.)
• Extra clothing
• Blankets
• Rain poncho
• 12-hour light sticks
• Whistle (to alert rescue parties)
• Face mask (to avoid dangerous bacteria)

Important Websites and Phone Numbers to Have on Hand:

FEMA (toll-free): 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - www.fema.gov

American Red Cross (toll-free): 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) - www.redcross.org

For more information on preparing for an emergency, visit www.ready.gov.

EVACUATION PLAN CHECKLISTS

An evacuation plan provides a sense of control in what will likely be a chaotic and frightening time.

In the event of a disaster, listen to local news reports for status updates and evacuation instructions. Follow instructions for evacuation procedures and do not wait until the last minute to leave.

Before you head out, make sure to check on family, friends and neighbors to ensure that they are taking the appropriate steps for their own safety and security.

For additional tools and information to share with your community about evacuation planning, check out FEMA's free online training module.

Planned Checklist

• Essential items you need to take:
• Vital Document Packet — Ensures you have all your important papers
• Emergency Supply Kit — Provides basic-living necessities for a few days
• Cash and traveler’s checks
• Maps: The official evacuation route, alternate routes and a list of shelters. You can find a list of open shelters at http://www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter
• Car keys and keys to the place you are going (if applicable)

GRAB AND GO CHECKLIST

If you have only moments before evacuating and haven’t prepared a Vital Document Packet or any emergency supplies, grab these items quickly and go!

(Note: Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Shortcuts could be impassable or dangerous.)

• Driver’s license or personal identification
• Basic supplies: Water, food, first-aid kit, hygiene items
• Prescription medications, glasses or contact lenses
• Maps: The official evacuation route, alternate routes and a list of shelters
• Car keys and keys to the place you are going (if applicable)
• Cash and traveler’s checks

Please stay safe out there!