Hurricane

HURRICANE CHECK LISTS

Texans with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs
Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing aid, catheters, augmentative communication devices, cane, wheelchair, scooter, walker, dressing aids, oxygen, tubing, feeding supplies, drinking straws, etc.). Label each with your name and contact information. Be sure to have extra batteries and chargers.
List of model numbers or serial numbers of medical devices and equipment.
Medical alert tags or bracelets and written description of your disability-related or health care conditions.
Medications and copies of all prescriptions, including a list of the prescription name, dosage, frequency, doctor and pharmacist.
Also consider if medications need to be refrigerated and if so, bring a cooler with an ice pack or other coolant system.
Hygiene supplies including absorbent pads and urinal as needed and personal grooming items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, towel, washcloth, comb and brush.
Phone numbers and names of your physicians or other health care providers, health insurance information, emergency contact information including your support network members.
Supplies for a service animal including food, identification tags, proof of up-to-date vaccinations and veterinarian contact.

For more information, contact GDEM Public Information at 512-424-2138 or visit GDEM's Web site: www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

ON THE WEB

American Red Cross www.redcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
Governor's Division of Emergency Management www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem
Hurricane Hunters' Homepage www.hurricanehunters.com/welcome.htm
National Hurricane Center www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Weather Service, Southern Region (Texas) www.srh.noaa.gov
National Weather Service's Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/index.htm
NOAA Storm Prediction Center www.spc.noaa.gov
Texas Department of Public Safety www.txdps.state.tx.us
Texas Department of Transportation www.dot.state.tx.us/default.htm
TxDOT road conditions http://204.64.21.201/travel/road conditions2.htm
U.S. Coast Guard Storm Center www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter
U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.ready.gov
NWS publications www.nws.noaa.gov/om/publications.shtml

OLDER DISASTER VICTIMS

The Aging Network has found that older people:
are often slower to register for disaster assistance, and once they are registered, may not follow through and complete the necessary applications to obtain assistance
may be at higher nutritional risk in the aftermath of a disaster and may forget to take necessary medications
are often targeted by fraudulent contractors and "con men" that follow disasters and financially exploit disaster victims
may be susceptible to physical and mental abuse as family stresses increase in later stages of the disaster.

Who Should You Call?
If you are an older person living in a federal disaster area and require disaster assistance, immediately contact FEMA at (800) 462-9029 and register. These services are only available for a limited time following the disaster.
The local Agency on Aging is at 513 E. Jackson St. in Harlingen. It's number is 956-412-0958.
Older persons and their family can also call the AoA's National Eldercare Locator toll-free number at 800-677-1116 to learn about available services.
Source: U.S. Administration on Aging

PETS AND DISASTERS

Make arrangements for your pets as part of your household disaster planning. If you must evacuate your home, it's always best to take your pets with you. For health and space reasons, pets will not be allowed in public emergency shelters. If, as a last resort, you have to leave your pets behind, make sure you have a plan to ensure their care.

Before
Contact you local animal shelter, humane society, veterinarian or emergency management office for information on caring for pets in an emergency. Find out if there will be any shelters set up to take pets in an emergency. Also, see if your veterinarian will accept your pet in an emergency.
Decide on safe locations in your house where you could leave your pet in an emergency.
Consider easy-to-clean areas such as utility areas or bathrooms and rooms with access to a supply of fresh water.
Avoid choosing rooms with hazards such as windows, hanging plants or pictures in large frames.
In case of flooding, the location should have access to high counters that pets can escape to.
Set up two separate locations if you have dogs and cats.
Buy a pet carrier that allows your pet to stand up and turn around inside. Train your pet to become comfortable with the carrier.
Use a variety of training methods such as feeding it in the carrier or placing a favorite toy or blanket inside.
If your pet is on medication or a special diet, find out from your veterinarian what you should do in case you have to leave it alone for several days.
Try to get an extra supply of medications.
Include an identification tag that has your name, address, and phone number.
If your dog normally wears a chain link "choker" collar, have a leather or nylon collar available if you have to leave him alone for several days.
Keep your pet's shots current and know where the records are. Most kennels require proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations before accepting a pet.
Contact motels and hotels in communities outside of your area and find out if they will accept pets in an emergency.
When assembling emergency supplies for the household, include items for pets:
Extra food (The food should be dry and relatively unappealing to prevent overeating. Store the food in sturdy containers.)
Kitty litter
Large capacity self-feeder and water dispenser
Extra medications

During
Bring your pets inside immediately. Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
If you evacuate and have to leave your pet at home, prepare a safe location for it:
Leave familiar items such as the pet's normal bedding and favorite toys.
Leave a two or three-day supply of dry food, even if it's not the pet's usual food. The food should not be moistened because it can turn rancid or sour. Leave the food in a sturdy container that the pet cannot overturn.
Leave water in a sturdy, no-spill container. If possible, open a faucet slightly and let the water drip into a big container. Large dogs may be able to obtain fresh water from a partially filled bathtub.
Replace a chain link "choker" collar with a leather or nylon collar. Make sure the collar has tags and identification.
Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally.
Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
If you evacuate and plan to take your pets, remember to bring your pet's medical records and medicines with your emergency supplies.

After
If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.

The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive.
Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.
Trained Guide Dogs
In most states, trained guide dogs for the blind, hearing impaired or handicapped will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Check with local emergency management officials for more information.

Birds
Birds must eat daily to survive. In an emergency, you may have to leave your birds behind. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency