Backlash: Storm Preparedness | Disability Network Lakeshore

Did you know that June 1st was the start of the Atlantic hurricane season? I know, you’re probably thinking “What does that have to do with me? I live in Michigan!” Well, hurricanes can have a long reach, and while it’s true that we won’t feel the full force of the hurricane here, we can get backlash from the storms with high winds, tornados, and flooding. Being prepared means thinking about how these things might affect us and taking some action to lower our risks.

That backlash can show up in ways people do not expect. A storm does not have to hit Michigan directly to cause problems here. Strong winds can knock out power. Heavy rain can flood roads and basements. Tornados can come with little warning. A storm far away can still affect travel, phone service, supplies, and emergency help. If you live with a disability, those problems can be even harder to handle if you are not ready.

That’s especially important for people with disabilities, and it’s even more important during this current pandemic. Have you thought about what it might be like to have to go to a public evacuation center if you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccination yet?

If you had to evacuate to a public shelter, how could you reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, or a variant of the virus? What would you want to take with you to ensure your comfort and safety? Are there assistive technology items you would need to take with you to a shelter? If you had to shelter in place by remaining in your home, what should you have on hand to ensure your safety?

Those are hard questions, but they are the right questions to ask. A good plan starts with your own needs. Think about the things you use every day. That may include hearing aids, glasses, a walker, a cane, a wheelchair, charging cords, backup batteries, medications, medical supplies, and written directions that help you explain your needs. If you use assistive technology, make sure you know how you will power it and carry it. If you need help from another person to do daily tasks, think about who that person might be in an emergency and how you will reach them.

It can also help to make a small emergency bag that stays ready. You do not need to wait for a storm warning to start it. You can build it a little at a time. Put in the things that matter most to you. That might include:

Medications and a list of what you take
Extra batteries or a charger for devices
Water and easy-to-eat food
Copies of important papers
A flashlight
Personal care items
Face masks and hand sanitizer, if you are using those
Contact information for family, friends, doctors, and helpers

Keep the bag where you can reach it fast. If you use items that need charging, test them now. If you have a power chair or other device that needs electricity, think about what you would do during a long outage. If you need refrigerated medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacy how to keep it safe in a power loss. If you have trouble seeing, hearing, moving, or remembering steps during stress, write down simple instructions now, while you have time to think.

If you might shelter in place at home, make a list of what you would need for several days. Think about food, water, medicine, batteries, and ways to stay informed. A weather radio can help if the power goes out. A charged cell phone may not last long, so a backup battery can help. If you use oxygen or other medical equipment, plan for power loss before an emergency happens. If you are not sure what to plan for, talk with someone you trust and walk through a few “what if” situations.

It can also help to write down your plan. Keep it in plain words. Make it easy to find. Share it with family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who helps care for you. Tell them where your emergency supplies are. Tell them how to reach you. Tell them what you would need if you had to leave home quickly. In an emergency, clear steps are easier to follow than ideas kept in your head.

Think about transportation, too. If you do not drive, how would you get to a safe place? If roads are flooded or a storm comes quickly, could someone pick you up? Do you know who would help you if you needed a ride to a shelter, a hospital, or another safe place? If you use a service animal or assistance animal, plan for that as well. Make sure you have supplies for your animal and know how to keep them with you.

If you live with a chronic condition or mental health need, emergency stress can make things harder. A noisy shelter, a sudden move, or a change in routine can be upsetting. It may help to pack comfort items, such as a blanket, headphones, a book, a favorite snack, or items that help you calm down. If you use a specific schedule or routine, write it down. Small things can make a big difference when life gets turned upside down.

Now is the time to make a plan. Weather patterns are becoming worse, and disasters are happening more often and are more severe than they were in the past. Don’t get caught again without being ready! Disability Network/Lakeshore is ready to help you plan for how you can best survive another disaster situation in the best possible way. Call us at 616-396-5326.

It’s Michigan; we won’t be fighting a hurricane here, but we might have to deal with high winds, severe storms, and possibly flooding. Think about how that might affect you, and about what you can do to survive. Call us today.

DNL can help you think through these steps. Our services are free, and we work with people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties. If you are not sure where to start, you do not have to figure it out alone. We can talk through your needs, help you build a plan, and connect you with useful information.

When you plan ahead, you give yourself more choices. You also reduce panic when bad weather comes. Even a few small steps can help:

Check your emergency supplies now, not later.
Make sure your phone numbers are current.
Know where your medicine and devices are.
Talk with family or friends about how they can help.
Practice leaving home or staying in place safely.

Preparation does not need to be perfect. It just needs to begin. A storm, flood, or power outage can happen fast. A little planning now can save time, stress, and danger later. If you are ready to start, call Disability Network/Lakeshore at 616-396-5326. We are here to help.

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442 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423

Services

Advocacy

Assistance Animals

Information & Referral

Peer Support

Emergency Readiness

Social Security Disability

Social Participation

Veterans

Skills Development

Employment

Transition

Nursing Home Transition

Youth Services