How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?

Hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornados, blizzards, pandemics, and even
power outages - disasters can happen no
matter where you live.
If you have a disability,
you know what you need, but others may not. And what you may
need on a daily basis may not be available
during a disaster.
So make sure to be prepared.
In a disaster, you might need to evacuate
or leave to another location, such as an emergency shelter, or you may need to shelter
in place by staying at home. Here are some things to keep
in mind when a disaster strikes.
EMERGENCY ALERTS
Plan ahead and
register for alerts with your local
emergency department.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Have a list of
emergency contacts, such as your family members,
friends and neighbors in case you need help
during a disaster. Also have contact information
for people who you will be staying with if you decide to evacuate.
SHELTERS & SHELTERING IN PLACE
Try to stay with friends
and family if you can. If not, look into
accessible shelters. You cannot be turned away at
a shelter because of your disability. However, there may be a designated
shelter that can better meet your needs.
EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Your kit should
include the basics such as a three-day supply
of water and food per person, extra clothing, first aid supplies, important documents, medication, extra batteries and cash.
CAREGIVING SERVICES
Touch base with your
caregivers to create a plan if your caregiver is not able to
join you if you decide to evacuate.
MEDICATION
Contact your insurance provider
to see if you are eligible for an extended
supply of medications. An extended supply can range from a 30 to 90 day supply. If you evacuated to another area and your medication runs out, contact your insurance provider
to find the nearest pharmacy that accepts your insurance or has an out-of-network option.
DOCUMENTS
Keep a printed or digital copy
of important documents such as your ID or
driver license, insurance cards,
and social security card.
TRANSPORTATION
Evacuation routes and
public points of pick-up may be announced before
and during a disaster. Contact your local
emergency management to verify how this
information will be made public. However, know that public and
accessible transportation may become unavailable
due to the disaster. Call your local metro
or public transit to check when transportation
stops running.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Make sure you have any specific
equipment you need for daily living because in a disaster, electricity and running
water are not a given. For example, shower chairs for bathing and chargers for motorized scooters.
SERVICE ANIMALS
If you have a service animal, make sure you have
the supplies they need like water and food.
RETURNING HOME
Check to make sure it's
safe to go home and that water and power are back on before returning.
APPLY FOR BENEFITS
Lastly, apply for FEMA assistance to ensure an opportunity
to address your housing, job, and other needs.
If you run into problems
related to inaccessible shelters or you feel you have been
wrongfully denied disaster services or need resources to
prepare for a disaster, contact your state’s protection
& advocacy organization (also called the P&A).
Learn more about Disaster and Emergency Planning on our website: bit.ly/3jNwGuK
Disability Rights Florida Contact Information:
Visit our website at www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
Phone Numbers
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850-488-9071
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Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)
800-346-4127
Mail
Disability Rights Florida
2473 Care Drive, Suite 200
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
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