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Hurricane Prep Guide

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Medication Requirement: All Floridians should take some basic steps to plan for their personal and family needs and protection in case of a disaster or emergency. Individuals with disabilities or special needs often face unique challenges that require more detailed planning.

  • Form Your Personal Support Network:
    • Give at least one trusted member of your Personal Support Network a key to your house or apartment.
    • Show members of your support group where you store your emergency kit and explain what is included.
    • Have at least three or more people in your network.
    • Arrange for more than one person in your Personal Support Network to check on you in an emergency.
    • Teach caregivers, Personal Support Network members, and anyone who may assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment .
  • Complete a Personal Assessment:
    • Make a list of your personal needs and your resources for meeting them in a disaster environment. This should include daily living needs such as personal care/personal care equipment, adaptive feeding devices, and electricity-dependent equipment.
  • Get Educated, Get Informed:
    • Know the specific hazards that threaten your community (hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc.).
    • Learn about community disaster plans and community warning systems.
    • Learn your community’s evacuation routes.
  • Register with Your Local/County Emergency Management Office.
  • Prepare an Emergency Kit.
  • Considerations for People with Disabilities/Special Needs:
    • Contact your physician to discuss emergency planning.
    • Know how to connect and start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment.
    • If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair as a back-up.
    • Label medical equipment, assistive devices, and any other necessary equipment and attach laminated instructions for equipment use. Also include your identification information.
    • Store back-up equipment (mobility, medical, etc.) at an alternate location (friend’s, family member’s, neighbor’s, or caregiver’s home, school, or workplace).
    • If you have visual/sensory disabilities, plan for someone to convey essential emergency information to you if you are unable to use the television or radio.
    • If you use a personal care attendant from a home healthcare agency, check to see if the agency has special provisions for emergencies (i.e., providing services at another location should an evacuation be ordered).
    • If you live in an apartment, ask the management to identify and mark accessible exits and access to all areas designated for emergency shelter or safe rooms.
    • Have a cell phone with an extra battery.
    • Learn about devices and other technology available to assist you in receiving emergency instructions and warnings from local officials.
    • Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency.
  • Have a Plan for Your Pets.
  • Utilities:
    • Know how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches and valves.
    • Keep any tools you will need near gas and water shut-off valves.
    • Show caregivers, personal support network members, and everyone in your household how to shut off utilities when necessary.
    • Turn off utilities only if you suspect lines are damaged or if local officials instruct you to do so.
  • Safety Devices:
    • Be sure your caregivers and everyone in the household know where your fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.
    • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
    • Individuals with sensory disabilities should consider installing smoke alarms with strobe lights and vibrating pads.
    • Several times a year, test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.
  • Insurance Coverage:
    • Check with your insurance agent or carrier to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage.
  • Important Records & Documents:
    • Keep copies of important family records and other documents (birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, passports, wills, deeds, financial, insurance, medical/immunization records, and copies of current bills) in a safe deposit box or other safe location.
  • First Aid/CPR & AED:
    • Take first aid and CPR/AED classes (American Red Cross courses can accommodate people with disabilities – just discuss your needs when registering for the classes).
  • Inventory Home Possessions:
    • Make a record of your possessions – in writing or video – to help you claim reimbursement in case of loss or damage.
  • Reduce Home Hazards:
    • Keep the shut-off switch for oxygen equipment near your bed or chair so you can get to it quickly if there is a fire.
    • Have defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections repaired.
    • Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
    • Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
    • Have cracks in ceilings and foundations repaired.
  • Secure Water Supply:
    • Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
    • Consider keeping additional water supplies for any pets.
    • Identify sources of water in your home that can be used in an emergency, such as ice cubes and the water heater tank.
  • Food Storage:
    • Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
    • Choose foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, and use minimal water.
    • Include a manual can opener with your food supplies.
    • Consider any dietary restrictions or special needs of your household members.
    • Keep a supply of pet food if you have pets.
  • Communication Plan:
    • Establish a communication plan with family and friends.
    • Designate an out-of-town contact who can help coordinate information among separated family members.
    • Ensure every household member knows how to send and receive emergency text messages from local authorities.
    • Prepare written instructions for how to turn off utilities and operate backup power equipment, and share these with your support network.
    • Keep extra batteries and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed.
  • Emergency Sheltering:
    • Know the location of your nearest emergency shelter.
    • Familiarize yourself with the shelter’s accessibility features, including ramps, elevators, and designated areas for people with disabilities.
    • Plan for transportation to the shelter if needed, considering any special equipment or assistance you may require.
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