Hurricane 101: Preparing for Hurricane Season in a Pandemic
Every year, those of us who live along the seaboard must plan for the hurricane season. Shelves stocked with canned food, granola bars, biscuits, water, medicine, hygiene products, and tissue paper. First aid kits are replenished and go-bags re-evaluated to make sure that everything is ready for shelter-in-place or evacuation.
Planning for the hurricane season amid a pandemic is a totally new scenario. Aside from prepping for the inclement weather, you also need to protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19.
It’ll be difficult this year, and since we’re planning for two issues, it’s important to give yourself more time than usual to prep. For instance, if you need to stock-up, the safest choice for buying your supplies would be via home delivery.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when gearing up for hurricane season:
- In addition to the usual personal and survival l items inside your go bag, make sure to add face masks and other supplies such as hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes.
- Plan where you’ll be heading in case you need to evacuate your area. Check if the local public shelter is open. And familiarize yourself with the existing evacuation plan in your area.
- If you do need to go to a shelter, follow CDC recommendations for the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Make sure that everyone in the family/household is familiar with your disaster plan.
- If you have pets, find out if the shelter in your area will accept pets.
- Follow pandemic safety protocols when using transportation to evacuate.
- Make sure to protect yourself from the virus with continuous handwashing and disinfecting.
- Watch out for carbon monoxide poisoning if you’re going to use a generator during a power interruption.
- Keep wounds clean to prevent infection and make sure that your first aid kit has enough supplies in it.
- Young kids can easily get overwhelmed by a double onslaught of a hurricane and the pandemic. Make sure to bring their toys, books, and other items to keep them busy.
