Hurricane season is in full swing and while it may be easy to overlook the importance of evacuation/preparedness details due to the current pandemic, it’s even more imperative not to be caught unprepared. Before, during, and after a hurricane can be an incredibly stressful and frantic time. According to the CDC, it’s important to know how the Covid-19 pandemic can affect disaster preparedness and recovery, and what you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
Below are some tips on how you can prepare, evacuate, and shelter during severe storms while remaining safe from the coronavirus.
Prepare
- Given the current state of the coronavirus, it may take more time than it would have prior to prepare your emergency food, water, and medical supplies. While some do not have the option to have their supplies delivered, it is the safest route. If delivery is not an option, follow steps to protect yourself and other’s health when running essential errands.
- Updated plans regarding shelters (including shelters for your pets) and evacuation are important to monitor.
- COVID-19 vaccines help to protect you from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19.
Evacuate
- Preparing a “go kit” with personal items that are necessary in case of evacuation is a good idea. Items should include alcohol hand sanitizer, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes (if available), and multiple, clean masks for those older than 2 years of age.
- Make sure you have several ways to get weather alerts. The National Weather Service cell phone alerts external icon, or (@NWS) Twitter alerts are great resources.
- It’s important to check if your area’s local public shelter is open if you need to evacuate your house. It’s also important to keep in mind that your designated shelter may have changed this year due to COVID-19.
Shelter
For those residing outside of their household with family or friends to avoid the storm:
- Check-in with those you plan to stay with to ensure the proper precautions are taken to protect against COVID-19.
- If your households include someone with a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, make sure everyone knows how to keep them protected.
- It’s important to continue practicing everyday preventive actions, like covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. It may even be necessary to take extra precautions for people living in close quarters.
As always, your Prewitt Group team is in place to provide guidance, manage claims that may occur, and most importantly, protect you and your family as if you are our own.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html
