This hurricane season will be unlike any before it.
2020 has already been an active hurricane year, and NOAA forecasts an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. In fact, Colorado State University recently increased the number of expected storms and hurricanes from 20 to 24. Already, we have seen nine named storms, with two named storms occurring before the season officially began on June 1.
But what will set this year’s hurricane season apart from all others won’t necessarily be because of the number of storms. It will be because of coronavirus.
COVID-19 has had a stranglehold on the U.S. since March. Now, during coastal states’ most dangerous time of the year, hurricane season, COVID-19 adds an extra layer of planning before a storm forms.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management calls it “co-response” when we respond to more than one hazard at once. The impacts of managing multiple crises, such as COVID-19 and hurricanes, can often mean more difficult and longer recovery, making it even more important to plan in advance for disasters that happen in quick succession.
The stress of multiple crises can take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. Heidi Radunovich, associate professor of family, youth and community sciences at the University of Florida, urges individuals to do what they can in times of multiple disasters to stay calm and manage stress. This can take the form of physical activities, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, music, hobbies, meditation, yoga, prayer and journaling.
Having a hurricane plan can also help to alleviate the Preparing for Hurricane Season During the Pandemic stress that can take place if someone is caught unawares by a disaster. During this year’s pandemic, it is even more important to make and carry out a hurricane plan that takes proper COVID-19 precautions into account.
Preparing for a Hurricane During the Pandemic
Following are some specific recommendations as you prepare for a hurricane during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Develop a hurricane plan. Developing a hurricane plan does not have to be a tedious task. Ready-made templates are available from the American Red Cross (https://rdcrss. org/3gMVCAs) and Ready.gov (https://www.ready.gov/ plan). The American Red Cross, Our Emergency Plans, Emergency Card, Get a Game Plan, FEMA and county emergency management offices also have apps that can assist in developing individual and family hurricane plans.
If templates and apps seem overwhelming, simply sit down as a family and develop a plan that everyone agrees to. Even writing things on an index card and putting it in a central location can be helpful.
Your plan should address the following areas:
- An emergency supply kit.
- A meeting location for the family, should you become separated.
- A plan on how you will communicate with your family. Also, have a back-up method in case of a power outage or a lack of cell phone signal.
- An out-of-town contact to check in with.
- A plan for pets.
- A plan for older family members who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.
For family members at a high risk of COVID-19, they will need special consideration as you develop your hurricane plan. You should identify safe places they can go if they need to evacuate.
Create an Emergency Supply Kit. Emergency supply kits should include basic supply items, such as water, enough food for seven days, flashlights, batteries, cell phone chargers, medication and first-aid kits. For COVID-19 protection, especially if you have to create a “to-go” bag for an evacuation, kits should include hand sanitizer, gloves, at least two face coverings for each family member, hand soap and disinfectant wipes. Kits should also include items for pets, including food and water, bowls, medications, collar, leash and vaccination and registration records. Additional supplies include infant needs, cash, sleeping bags, two-way radios and matches.
Carry On-the-Go Documents. Keep significant documents and paperwork, such as insurance policies, account numbers and a household inventory, with you in a fireproof and waterproof container. You can also store many of these documents electronically on a USB flash drive or through an off-site filing or cloud system, like Dropbox or iCloud. Keep a hard copy of documents in one accessible but secure place so you can “grab them and go” in times of disaster.
Prepare for Evacuations and Sheltering. If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately, following the directions of local authorities. Because of COVID-19, shelter locations and shelter protocols will likely be different, due to social distancing guidelines, so it is important to understand those changes. Discuss with a close friend or relative who is not in an evacuation zone and not showing symptoms of COVID-19 if sheltering in place with them is possible. Solidifying these plans before a storm is best.
Keep Social Distancing in Mind. This may be particularly difficult after a storm, as we are used to helping each other in the recovery process. However, before you help your neighbor, grab a facemask and practice social distancing. If you have to evacuate, practice social distancing during the evacuation and when you arrive at a shelter.
More information and resources on hurricane preparation and COVID-19 can be found at the Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources web page: https://bit.ly/31tdQR7.
