Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

General Weather Discussions and Analysis
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Texas Pirate

I got a great email from somone on another forum
and thought it would go well with this thread on Evacuation!
YAY MAIL!

Its also a concern that comes up when I speak with varying groups.
I can, with her permission, use her email (and concern) and maybe it's yours too.

Dear Pirate (Love your name ha ha)

I recently moved to the Clear Lake area and its a MAJOR evac. area
The water gives that one away! My name is (R.S.) and I have a disability. I have ----------.
My family lives outside Katy. I will leave and stay with them if anything happens so I am so lucky
that way. But, here is my concern. If I leave, I am afraid I wont be able to get back to my home.
My neighbor said that her sister couldn't get back into Seabrook after Ike. If it takes forever to get back
I might want to stay. What do you think?
Thanks for the great insights and suggestions
R.S.

Dear R.S.
Woohoo advice from a neighbor about her sister who says.....
Seabrook had two gas leaks and didn't want people returning b/c all it would take is one person
to light a match and KABOOM...you get that picture right? Safety first. Even with upset citizens.
Your house wouldn't look very pretty after that, would it?

Everyone wants to get back to their homes asap. Assess the damage, get back to normal asap.
No one wants to hang out in shelters and trust me people who work shelters also have the same concerns
if they are residents in the area. Also, as kind as it was for Aunt Ruby and Uncle Fred to put you up
for a week (to save your life), you want your own home. Everyone can relate.

HOWEVER...(you knew this was coming) IF your area can not support YOUR independant life style,
dangerous conditions exist (no electricity, severe damage to area, gas leaks, no safe water)
Do you REALLY want to be there? No. Trust me. Snakes and alligators too - oh boy!
Also would be able to get to hubs for ice/water/food if you needed it?
Remember, grocery stores may be closed for a bit.
Is your home itself safe for re-entry?
Once you can get back: chances are you may still need to use a generator, bottled water and your
other essential supplies.
We have to wait for the all clear (as far as gas leaks, and other dangerous situations) so we remain safe and sane. In the long run, it truly makes sense.
I hope this helped you R.S. and I so thank you for the mail. I hope you enjoy Clear Lake area.
~Pirate

"Because your disabled, you dont have to be a victim"™
Texas Pirate

Prayers UP for all in the path of Isaac.
IF this WERE headed this way, THIS would be the time we stay ALERT and AWARE
and begin our plans of either evaucation or truly getting our supplies, etc.
(You should already have your meds/important papers gathered)

I hope the disability communities throughout FLORIDA are aware and prepared.
SHELTERS are beginning to open - beginning in the KEYS.
First shelters will be opening within hours in the Keys. Key West HS, Sugarloaf School, Switlik School in Marathon, Coral Shores HS in Islamorada. If you know any friends/family there
you might want to call and check up on them.

Red Cross will be opening shelters throughout Florida as Isaac gets closer.
I pray y'all well through the storm, Florida.

"Because your disabled, you dont have to be a victim"™
Texas Pirate

Ahoy Friends- I hope you have been keeping an eye on Isaac.
As of Sunday (8/26) he is still a Tropical Storm and giving Key West fits.
Shelters are open/evacuations going on throughout the area.

So, you say, what does THAT have to do with US?
Glad you asked - some of the latest weather models (who are reliable)
are beginning to shift ISAAC west. Yes, west.
One model puts it as a MAJOR CANE in NOLA (putting Houston in the "cone" or at least TX.LA more
under the gun)
one models puts it East of NOLA to Florida. (we would be out of the "cone")
Clear as mud huh?
Wrong.
It's Mother Nature who will be the definitive and we mustn't let our guard down yet.

NOW is the time for us to REVIEW our plans.
Go over evaucation plans /start THINKING about decisions: (Hello, Aunt Ruby? ....) just sayin.
Make sure we have the supplies we need
Meds
Batteries
Any other supplies you may need to keep you up and running/surviving
Important papers (insurance/medical/personal information)

Later on tonight, I will come back and putup a supply list
what to take if you evaucate/what you need if you *cough* "hunker down)
(Did I tell you how I despise that word?)

Just giving y'all a little heads up and lets start monitoring that weather.
Hope this helps.
You can always PM me if you have any questions.. :D .

"because you're disabled, you don't have to be a victim"
Texas Pirate

Lets use this statement from NOLA regarding ISAAC as an example of what WE would do
IF this were us:

State of Emergency declared in New Orleans. New Orleans Mayor planning for shelter in place event verses evacuation for the moment. Advising all residents to prepare.

{They declare the State of Emergency so they can get HELP asap.}

At this point the mayor is saying he wants his residents to...no I'm not gonna say those words "stay in place"
There are no shelters available so everyone just stay put.
YOU make the decision as to what is BEST for you in your situation.
If your plans are to leave and stay with family/friends- so do so.
YOU know what works for you, a family member, better than anyone else.
You could decide you want to get out before the storm hits
(Isaac is EXPECTED to make landfall anywhere from Wed/Thursday, but I dont speak for
Mother Nature- you got to monitor. And we still dont have a definitive as to where....

IF you decide to stay in place, these are some of the supplies you will need
(This is from this forum but I have added a few from my own experiences)


Your important papers/meds in a safety box
Food for your pets

Red Cross list also: http://images.bimedia.net/documents/Hur ... sGuide.pdf

Hurricane Kit/Ride Out Items
1. Flashlight(s),
2. Extra bulbs for flashlights / lanterns/candles
3. Collapsible water containers (enough for 7 days at 1 gal/day per person)
4. Portable radio and/or TV
5. Weather radio A MUST!!!!!! There are wx radios now available for the deaf community.
6. At least 2 sets of extra batteries for all electronic devices
7 First aid kit
8 batteries - tons of them.
9. Toolkit - hammer, screw drivers, pliers and assorted nails/screws
10. Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
11. Manual can opener
12. Battery-operated fan
13. Duct tape
14. Blue tarp (15x20ft) and 100ft rope or cord
15. Gloves
16. Eye protection glasses
18. Automobile power inverter
19. Rain gear (poncho/raincoat)
20. Matches / lighter
21. Pocket knife/multi-tool
22. Plastic garbage bags
23. 5-gal gas cans (2-4) for car/generator WITH funnel (if needed)
24. Disposable camera
25. Battery-powered alarm clock (can use cell phone)
26. Outdoor extension cords (2-3 50ft)
27. Small window AC unit
28. Generator 29. Whistle
30. Plastic sheeting
31. Tree saw / axe / hatchet

Personal Items:
1. Prescription medications (2-4 week supply)
2. Non-prescription drugs (aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever)
3. Mosquito repellent / sunscreen
4. Pet medications (2-4 week supply)
5. Pet cage (if traveling with pet)
6. Emergency phone numbers
7. Important documents (insurance/passports/Soc. Security card, medical records)
8. Home PC backup disks/drive
9. Moist wipes
10. $100-$300 in extra cash (small bills)
11. Extra set of car/house keys
12. Disposable diapers
13. Feminine supplies
14. Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap)
15. Toys/games for kids (deck of cards)
16. Disinfectives - such as lysol, etc.
Food / Water:
1. Water – 1-2 gal/person for 7 days
2. Nonperishable food – enough for 7 days
a. Peanut butter
b. Bread
c. Canned goods (fruit/vegetables/soup/meat/tuna/beans)
d. Dried fruit
e. Powdered milk
f. Energy bars / breakfast bars
g. Snacks (cookies / crackers / chips / nuts / candy)
h. Boxed juices / energy drinks
i. Cereals
j. Dry & canned pet food
k. Baby formula
3. Camp stove and extra fuel
4. Ice chest(s)
5. Waterless soap
6. Extra charcoal/propane for BBQ pit
7. Disposable plates/cups/utensils/napkins
8. Salt/pepper/sugar
9. Aluminum foil
10. Garbage bags
11. Your favorite comfort foods

I hope this is helpful. NO ONE has commented, but I'm sure people are reading :-)
"because you're disabled, you don't have to be a victim" ™
Last edited by Texas Pirate on Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Andrew
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3438
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:46 pm
Location: North-West Houston
Contact:

Don't worry we are reading it. Thank you again for all the support and information you have provided us all. If Isaac does affect this area I am sure a lot more people will be checking this page.
For Your Infinite Source For All Things Weather Visit Our Facebook
Texas Pirate

Thank you Andrew I appreciate your feedback.

This just came in:
MANDATORY evacuation for residents of Grand Isle, LA starts 10am Monday

I'm so happy Louisiana is on the ball. Considering this week, is the 7th anniversary of Katrina.
We have learned so much, sadly at so many people's expense and lives.
The disability community does NOT have to be victims this time. NO WAY! :cry:
Kudos to LA. But YOU need to step up.

If this WERE us: And hopeful this IS what the disability community is doing now:

This is THE time for those (especially the community) to gather
ALL your important stuff - and get ready to MOVE....
call your friends/family and tell them "guess who's coming to dinner...and breakfast...and lunch..."

You will take:
Your meds/important papers/doctors information/pillows/blankets/sheets/towels/hygeine products for you and if you have a family, them/
pet food/vet information if you have it for your pets/water/food/batteries/cell phone/anything essential pertaining
to your SURVIVAL and HEALTH.

No matter where you go for safety (friends/family home or maybe perhaps shelter:)
CALL someone you know and tell them WHERE YOU ARE. Even if you're at friends/family
you may have a family member OUTSIDE of the state who may worry about you.

You will wait it out til the "all clear"

To Louisiana and all points EAST (as of this time/date)
God Bless Y'all...I pray you well thru the storm if it does come your way.
AND...please stay safe.

I hope this information helps.

"because you're disabled, you don't have to be a victim"™
Texas Pirate

TWC map has SE TX under an "AWARE" alert

This means we must begin to truly monitor Isaac in the next 48 hours
We wont have much time to gather our supplies if this TRULY does go to west of NOLA.
REMEMBER: we dont have to get a DIRECT hit, to feel the affects of this storm.
Its LARGE.

I dont know how to post pictures, or I'd show you the TWC map.
Texas Pirate

Good Monday morning - I'm sure many of us weather watchers are weary after
staying up the majority of the night watching Isaac. Yes, its a life.

What I want to say is this: NOLA mayor has stated that the residents are to "shelter and place"
(YAY he didn't say HUNKER) There are, at this time, NO LAST RESORT SHELTERS available.

Let me say this about that:
LEAVE! IF you are dependant on electricity/power to keep you alive and up and running
LEAVE....NOW. LEAVE. Get the hell out of dodge.

Even if Isaac doesn't take a direct hit on NOLA (the soup bowl), it is a RAINMAKER
and a large one at that. Power outages will be certain. Flooding, yeah definitely.

Please. Get ready.

I hope this helped.
Praying for all.

"Because you are disabled, you don't have to be a victim.™

Supply list: RED CROSS

http://images.bimedia.net/documents/Hur ... sGuide.pdf
Texas Pirate

To our community across the Gulf Coast
please find emergency information thru this link:

Stay safe.


http://www.weather.com/news/gulf-coast- ... e-20120827
Texas Pirate

Throughout SEPTEMBER you can receive a

FREE VISUAL FIRE ALARM! FREE!

To qualify, residents must live in Houston, have a low or fixed income and substantial hearing loss.

email: mopdmail@houstontx.gov

The life you save will be your own.

Tell em Texaspirate sent ya! :D

"because you're disabled, you dont have to be a victim"™
Texas Pirate

This is from the Office of the Governor Rick Perry
Committee on People with Disabilities

Please share.


Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Other Access and Functional Needs
A unique instructional video containing information specific to Americans with disabilities or other access and functional needs regarding emergency preparedness.



Video (captioned): Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Other Access and Functional Needs (FEMA)
•VIDEO" http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/7028
•Transcript http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_ ... ripts/6509

Additional Resources:
•Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities (American Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_Cu ... _A4497.pdf
•Prepare For Emergencies Now: Information For People With Disabilities (Ready.gov) http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/file ... ties_1.pdf
rnmm
Posts: 352
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:16 am
Location: Santa Fe, Texas
Contact:

Such wonderful information here. Thank you Emmy for taking the time to put this together!! It's awesome!!!!!!
My name is Nicole and I love weather!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alicia, Allison, Rita, Ike
Texas Pirate

Thank you for taking the time to notice. ♥
Stormrider
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:50 pm
Contact:

Keep that good preparedness info coming! Thanks! :)
Texas Pirate

Thank you Stormrider. If you or anyone you know, knows people with disabilties, please direct them to this
little blog. Thank you.

Its been a long week and all our prayers have gone to LA/MS as they have taken a real beating
from Isaac. :?

I hope those with disabilities got out, especially of the low lying areas- they did have mandatory
evac. orders, but, like here, there were those who stayed and had to be rescued.
(I truly believe there should be a charge for that..but thats not what this forum is about)

Next topic will be: What will my plan look like? What we will create, will be good for ALL emergencies,
not just hurricane planning.
I started with EVACUATION due to Isaac and thought it a good example to use.


"Because you are disabled, you dont' have to be a victim" ™
Stormrider
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:50 pm
Contact:

Texas Pirate, I've been reading/hearing reports that several nuring homes have had to be evacuated in the midst of Isaac's land fall. I don't know the circumstances, but given the fact that the NHC warned of the storm surge and rainfall potential of a slow moving Isaac, should not the call to evacuate have been made sooner?
Texas Pirate

On Monday the 27th of August on this little blog I stated that those with disabilities in NOLA get the hell out of dodge.
Of course, I'm a little voice but I do know which way the wind blows.
Also stated on this site, I told people that if you support a loved one's decision to go in a nursing home/assisted living place, make sure YOU SEE the emergency plans that home has in place. Dont rely on "yeah we got one" (shuffle paper, shuffle paper) DEMAND to see it. Tell your Mom/Dad/family member what would happen in an emergency situation, if you yourself can't be there to get them. Work that plan with them so they understand.

Our nursing homes/assissted living centers fail our loved ones many times. No all, but I've run enough fires with the RC and the Ike aftermath to tell you, we aint up to code. I had not heard of the evacuation of the nursing home you question me about, but trust me, I am NOT surprised at all.

Getting back to your question: did I think the NHC made the right call?
Here's from a government official:
The floodwaters “were shockingly fast-rising, from what I understand from talking to people,” Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne said. “It caught everybody by surprise.” REALLY? Who failed in that communication to tell their citizens that no matter a TS or Cat 1 and living in a soup bowl, this couldn't happen?
NHC was ALL over this puppy. Yes, I know they were told to "hunker down" (GOD I HATE THAT WORD), but
the vulnerable are living in the fish bowl along with you and I. And even those who are non-disabled, who made a plan, needed to leave. LA/MS is a mess.

I know I am hearing many say "They should have called a cane sooner" (Even from our own beloved Dr. Neil Frank :D )
regardless, Gov. Jindahl began evaucations from the lower parishes when it was still a TS (Kudos, dude) although,
some didn't heed it - would those have heeded it had it been a cat 1? Remember there will always be Bubbas who feel
they have to protect their trucks than they end up tanking.....Pride and Ford Trucks goeth before a (water)fall.
NHC said over and over 'this is a rain maker...this is a rain maker....this is a rain maker" and if you live in the low lying areas,
"this is a rain maker" means you might end up swimming with the fishes. Jindahl and the low lying Parish leaders did evacuate as soon as possible, Mayor of NOLA told everyone to "shelter and place". Regardless, if you are vulnerable in a vulnerable landscape, GET OUT. Listen to what makes staying alive to YOU, count first and foremost.

Communication says lives. Heeding the warnings and being prepared will make the difference between leaving in time and staying alive and having only 90 minutes/panicking/and going into "survival mode" (as the dam story indicates)
Article : http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/us/weathe ... index.html

Hope this answered your questions, I know I prattle on but thanks for asking. I pray they are well if they were evacuated, and now safe.
rnmm
Posts: 352
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:16 am
Location: Santa Fe, Texas
Contact:

We have talked a lot about what to do before and during a storm. I have thought about this for a couple of days now and did some research and found these links I thought would be helpful AFTER the storm has passed, however some of them can be used before and during as well. If there is a list like this one already, please feel free to delete this post. I sit here and look at the devastation in Louisiana and it just overwhelms me. I hope someone, somewhere will find these links helpful. I know some of them may only pertain to a specific state or location, but it might give folks in other states an idea of where to start in their area.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs:

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/disaster-r ... /index.htm

JFS of Broward County:

http://www.jfsbroward.org/hurricane_support

United Way of Miami-Dade:

http://www.unitedwaymiami.org/WhatWeDo/ ... ahurricane

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency:

http://www.weready.org/hurricane/index. ... 3&Itemid=3

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/
My name is Nicole and I love weather!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alicia, Allison, Rita, Ike
Texas Pirate

Nicole - thank you. This is fantastic!
I appreciate you adding to this... :D
Texas Pirate

Well, last night the NHC issued its last statement on Isaac. Be gone.
The statements are over, but the clean up is just beginning.
Every hurricane has its own personality and brings with it, its own problems.
They show us, time and time again, the weaknesses & strengths within our infrastructures,
& our planning, both personally and for the population at large.
We plan for the worst, and hope for the best,as the saying goes.

What did we learn? Evacuations were given for low lying Parishes, some heeded, some didn't
and of course, they had to be rescued.

(Transportation for the disabled and disadvantage is something
that is being highlighted in many articles that I read on EP. Lookin for solutions)

NOLA sheltered and place and GOT THRU IT! YAY NOLA. Many of my friends there were prepared
for outages, etc. They are safe. NOLA was spared the "worst" of it.
MS was ravaged. Many didn't expect the rising waters to come up so fast. Really?
(Communication issues)

Another situation was that a dam was about to break and residents had literally 90 minutes
to leave. 90 minutes. Chilling huh? Could YOU do that? No one could have predictated that, but
as said, hurricanes bring their own issues.

Today, we will begin to get our plan together. Having an emergency plan isn't just for hurricanes, although here
on the coast it is foremost on our minds. Last summer, Texas suffered the worst fires in history, especially
for our friends in the hill country. An emergency is anything that DISRUPTS our "normal" living, they can come up quickly or give us warning (like canes) Tornadoes can whip up during a thunderstorm and in seconds destroy your "normal"living situation.
This is why we will start our plan today.

What I tell the community -regardless if you yourself are disabled, have a family/friend who is or work with people with disabilities..everyone needs a plan. Let's begin: Buy a safety box. This will be your new best friend. Place it where you could grab it in a moments notice. Emergency situations sometimes leave us in a panic, where we can't think straight, but this safety WILL think for you. Panicking is hazardous to your health. But we will be prepared to the best of our abilitie:

1) Make a copy of all important papers: SS cards, drivers licenses, insurance card, insurance for your home, passport, credit cards, medical information for you and your family. In case you lose any of the above information in a sudden situation or maybe even robbery, YOU have your information that you would need to INDENTIFY yourself/family member/friend. Remember emergencies arent' planned, but YOU gotta be. You can either stash the stuff in your SAFETY BOX (copy #1) and if you make 2 copies: send it to a person you trust (outside a flood zone perferably). My son has all my info. He lives up north in snowville.
And I dont think this needed to be said, but your ss card, insurance papers, passports, medical information should be in the box WITH your copies WHEN and IF you evacuate. Yeah I knew you knew that. :D


2) You could also WRITE your info down (or after you're finished put it all on a a USB) for you and your family. Its not hard. In an emergency, sometimes we forget our own names :lol: Pull out the sheet (each one for the family) and voila you dont have too worry. This is also in your safety box

On this sheet you will write/type/either place in safety box or put on usb and put THAT in the box:

Name/Address/City/Zip/Phone numbers/medical information/medical needs/allergies/dr information/YOUR NEEDS/
Vet info (if you have a service animal) and any other information you may want to put on your emergency information.
Again, if something were to happen, you have all the information. If something were to happen, someone ELSE may
have the information to help YOU/OTHERS through.

Storing MEDS: In your safety box you will have a box of ziplocs.
You will label each ziploc bag the name of the person and the meds.
Nothing like confusion if several members are on meds in the family and you cant tell who takes the green
or who takes the orange....You could prep this quite easily and in a cane situation, you would have a bit of time.
Do NOT throw all the meds into ONE box without proper labeling and information (how many times taken, etc etc)
Even if its on the script on the bottle - LABEL everything on the ziploc.

You will also have Refill Prescriptions in case you do evacuate and end up in Austin, San Antonio,Aunt Ruby's home.
Nowadays, doctors are very good at giving the script in the summer, ahead of any potential cane disaster.
I think Walgreens gives 90 days worth of meds...need to check that one out for y'all.

I named my safety box "Rita on the Run" :o ...anyone who lived through that understands and no need
to explain why I named the box, Rita.

I hope this helped.

If you have anything to ADD from your own experience OR just want to add, PLEASE DO SO.

"because you're disabled, you dont' have to be a victim."™
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