I’ve been home this past couple of weeks recovering from surgery and have spent a great deal of my time watching television. I like following the weather station, especially with tornado season starting and mercy, have there been a lot of tornados touching down lately! My understanding is that global warming is resulting in more frequent bad weather and worse storms than we are used to seeing. That has certainly been the case this past couple of weeks!
While watching all the tornado warnings that have been issued, I’ve wondered how many people with disabilities are prepared for disaster. How many were prepared for the storms raging through their communities, the flooding, the need to evacuate to a safer location? It’s somewhat frightening to contemplate.
Disasters can move fast. A warning can turn into a real emergency in minutes. That is why it helps to think ahead before the weather gets bad. If you wait until the storm is close, it is much harder to gather supplies, make calls, and get where you need to go. For people with disabilities, that pressure can be even harder. We may need extra time, extra equipment, medicine, power, transportation, or help from other people.
Why I think ahead
Because we are so much more susceptible to being injured or killed during a disaster, those of us with disabilities need to pay extra attention to developing a plan to keep us safe. For me, that means having friends where I can evacuate to their home with my dogs in the event of a tornado warning. I live in a mobile home which is not sufficient protection to see me through a bad storm. If I were to get caught here and had to stay with a tornado coming, I know where my best chance for survival would be. I’ve identified an inside room with no windows and with as much protection as possible. I would take my dogs to my closet to weather the storm.
That kind of planning brings peace of mind. It does not stop the storm, but it gives me a place to start. It also helps me act faster. When I already know where I would go and who I would call, I do not have to figure it all out under stress.
However, I pay attention to storm warnings and have an agreement with my friends that if it comes down to it, I’ll pack up my dogs in the car and head to their house. My sister has a similar agreement with a friend where she can bring her two cats. We even came up with a plan for capturing the cats and getting them into carriers quickly. Who knows, someday it may be necessary!
That is one thing I would encourage anyone to do: think through the details. It is not enough to say, “I’ll leave if I have to.” You need to know:
- Where you will go
- How you will get there
- Who will go with you
- What you need to bring
- How you will get pets or service animals safely moved
If you use a wheelchair, walker, oxygen, or other equipment, plan for that too. Make sure the place you are going can work for your needs. If you need ramps, a shower chair, a charger, or a place to keep medicine cold, talk about that before an emergency happens. If you need help making a plan, Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free, and we help people in Ottawa and Allegan counties think through emergency readiness and other disability needs. You can call us at (616) 396-5326.
My Go Kit
I have a Go Kit bagged and ready to grab as I’m heading out the door. It has all the necessary items to keep me and my dogs as comfortable as possible if we have to head out to a public shelter. It includes copies of all my important paperwork too. Again, I think of all the people displaced by tornados in the past couple of weeks and wonder how many of them had copies of their insurance policies and other paperwork needed to straighten out their finances after disaster struck.
A Go Kit is simple in idea, but it can make a hard time a little easier. Mine is packed ahead of time so I do not have to remember every little thing when I am worried. That matters. When the power is out, the roads are crowded, or the warning sirens are going off, clear thinking can be hard.
For me, a Go Kit means I can leave faster and feel more settled once I get where I am going. It also helps if I have to go to a public shelter, since shelters may not have the things I use every day. A bag ready to grab can help with comfort, safety, and less stress.
Some helpful things to keep together in an emergency bag may include:
- Copies of important papers, such as insurance cards and identification
- Medicine and a list of what you take
- Water and food for a short time
- Extra clothes
- Flashlight and batteries
- Phone charger or backup battery
- Items for pets, such as food, bowls, leash, and carrier
- Any daily items you need to stay safe and comfortable
You do not have to pack everything at once. Start with the most important items. Put them in one place where you can reach them fast. Check them now and then so expired medicine, old food, or dead batteries do not catch you by surprise.
What being prepared means to me
Having a plan is a bit of insurance for me in the event of a disaster. I don’t like the thought of trying to find the items I need to keep myself and my dogs safe and secure after a storm. I want to know that my family members are safe, and I want them to know I will do everything I can to care for myself and for them. That’s what being prepared is all about to me!
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about taking care of yourself and the people and pets you love. It is about making smart choices before the weather turns bad. It is about knowing that you have done what you can.
If you have not made a plan yet, start small. Pick one thing today. Call a friend. Write down a phone number. Put copies of your papers together. Set aside a bag. Talk with family members about where you would meet if you had to leave home quickly. Even a simple plan is better than none.
And if you need help talking through those steps, Disability Network Lakeshore is here to support people with disabilities. Our services are free. You can reach us at (616) 396-5326. We are located at 442 Century Lane, Holland, MI 49423.
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