Ready To Go! Hurricane Preparedness

Today, in an email from the White House Office of Public Engagement, I found a list of what’s being done in Florida to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene. The government is acting prior to landfall and that just delights me!

I know many people think the government will save them if disaster strikes and I believe they will do the best they can. The problem, of course, is that if it’s a widespread disaster they might not be able to get to everyone immediately. Preparing ahead of time limits casualties and gets resources into the hands of those who need them most in the fastest way possible.

On first thought, it might seem wasteful to try to predict where resources will need to be distributed and that it’s taking a risk getting those resources out before the hurricanes hit. Knowing how powerful these storms are and their likely paths though, it just makes sense to have help ready and waiting.

There are lists of public evacuation sites available so you can check by zip code where you can go, and not just regular sites, but where you can take your pets or where to go if you need assistance. The government made a deal with uber and with the local public transportation systems to cover the cost of assisting those who’ll need a ride to evacuate centers.

The State of Florida has also activated an information line where residents can call to be connected to the resources they need. They have people answering those lines that speak English, Spanish and Creole.

You’ll find lists of actions you can take to prepare for the hurricanes and live updates on what’s happening, including emergency alerts. And, finally, there are lists of recovery resources available through FEMA, instructions for applying for FEMA disaster assistance and small business loans to offset the effects of the hurricanes. That’s more in the way of advanced preparation than I’ve ever seen before!

There is misinformation being circulated about how FEMA can’t help, and they are working hard to identify those sources and correct them. When people read misinformation and believe they are not eligible for assistance, they often give up without ever connecting with the proper authority and getting the help they so desperately need.

For those who wish to donate to the disaster relief fund, there is a website to go to: DisasterAssistance.Gov.

The government has stepped up and is working on an advanced plan for responding to disaster. Shouldn’t you take the time to get your plan in order too?

If you would like help designing a plan, contact Disability Network Lakeshore. We’d love to send you a packet of information that will help you design a plan for yourself and your loved ones. There is no charge for this service and if you’d like additional assistance in tailoring your plan to your specific disability, we’d be pleased to meet with you for that too. Call us at 616-396-5326 or email us here.