Our Special Needs Emergency Preparedness Check-list

Our family has been praying for everyone having to face the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Here we are, a short time later possibly facing the same fate.  The last time we prepared for a storm that frightened us in Tampa Bay was back in 2004. Richie was only two and hadn’t been diagnosed with autism yet. We were hit with Hurricane Charley, Ivan, Frances and Jeanne that year. It came to be known as the year of the Hurricanes. While Tampa Bay was thankfully not hit directly by these ravaging storms, we felt the anxiety and fear of these winds of fury all the same. But it would take a Hurricane called Katrina to teach our nation about being prepared. Ten years later, we’re back in preparation mode and we must get this right. All of us together. 

The impending storm still leaves many of us with many uncertainties. Do we leave? Do we stay? What do we do exactly? The truth is it all depends on the track of the storm. One thing is for sure – don’t do nothing. We are amazingly lucky to have talented storm chasers, meteorologists and other experts who put themselves in harm’s way to make sure we have the information we need to make these important decisions. They are the reason we have ample time to prepare for whatever mother nature has in store for us. Because we have this information, it’s important not to wait until the last minute to get hurricane ready.  

 
​Have a Family Discussion about an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Don’t think your child isn’t up to speed on the weather changes and the threat of something potentially dangerous about to happen. Discuss (without causing a panic) a plan of action. Assign each a family member a role and explain why it’s important to work together. 

• Use a social story to help explain what changes will take place for children and adults with disabilities. CARD has a fantastic one that I plan on using!
• Review behavior plans and start planning prevention strategies for potential situations that may trigger behavior issues-
  • Keep headphones and devices charged for helping with noise and overwhelming sounds
  • Try to have pictures available on the places you plan to stay (relatives home, shelter, etc.)
  • Call shelters in advance and ask about how to secure an area that is the furthest from busy noise, foot traffic, etc.
  • Complete a Sensory Friends Special Needs Emergency Information Form

 

Prepare a Box/Bin of Important Documents and Item

Examples of important documents include:

• Social Security Cards, Birth/Marriage Certificates
• Will, Deeds, Leases,
• Passports, Green Cards, Business and other Licenses and certificates
• Special Albums, Pictures, etc.

Remember – this box is only for the absolute most important items.
 

Prepare a duffel bag for each family member

Examples of things to bring:

• 2/3 days of clothing (socks, undergarments, shorts, t-shirt, Pj’s, pants, etc.)
• At least 7 days of needed medication in zip lock with written instruction for dosage
• Emergency Blanket/Sleeping Bag
• Travel size bag of toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, body soap, deodorant, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, tissue)
• Contact Lenses/cases, solution, glasses, etc.
• Small flashlight
• Poncho
• Whistle
• Non-surgical Mask
• Chargers for Devices
• Extra Batteries
• 2 Way Radio/ Battery operated radio
• Toys, devices (remember to have them fully charged) 
• Sensory Friends Emergency Information Form 

Keep all Devices and Equipment Charged

If you’re a wheelchair user, make sure your Scooter is well charged always. Please try to have a manual wheelchair in the trunk if it comes down to having to evacuate.
Things happen quickly during these types of situations and you don’t want to have to worry about your scooter or wheelchair not being available.  

​Make sure to have cash on hand

No one really knows for sure what might happen, but if an entire town or city loses power there might not be an opportunity to access your much-needed cash from an ATM or other electronic source. Be sure to have at least two hundred dollars cash on hand for emergencies. 

---

Keep Your Car Tank Full!

This is said repeatedly, but it is truly an important point. If you need to get your family to another town out of the storm’s path, you don’t want to have to do it on a quarter tank of gas.  Please make sure your tank is full until all is clear. 

---

​Move Outdoor Furniture/Items Inside

We have a huge trampoline, patio furniture, a huge grill, fire pit, porch seating, the kid’s bikes and a comfy hammock all outside our doors. Any of these things have the potential to become dangerous projectile weapons to our home or the homes of others. It is a lot of work, but it’s always better to air on the safe side when it comes to these things – even if nothing (thankfully) comes our way. Please don’t procrastinate on this one, time is always of the essence in preparation planning.

​If Possible, Move Things to Higher Ground

Depending on the strength of the storm – if there is threat for your roof being torn off – this strategy will be ineffective. Since it’s looking like we won’t be hit directly, we do expect a ton of rain. Our neighborhood floods easily, so we expect to be flooded. We’re not going to be able to save everything, but we can save some of our high-end technology items.
Examples of these items are:

• Flat Screen TV’s
• Stereo, speakers, turn-tables
• DVD Players
• Computers/Modems
• Secure Family picture frames, Portraits of Art, or other Wall décor in a safe room
• File cabinets, designer chairs or other light furniture 

Try to have enough food and drink for each family member for at least 3 days:
​

I stopped shopping for refrigerated items that could quickly go bad if we lose power. I am cooking meals using what we’ve got in the fridge and freezer. I’m buying just juice packs for the kids, not anything that once opened will need to be refrigerated. From this day forward I’ll make sure to have the following whether we hunker down at home or at a relative’s home:

• Water – 1 26/pack of drinking water for each family member, and 3-1 Gal containers of water for each of us to use for bathing. This is good for 3 days’ supply (it’s a little over with our individual packs of bottled water).
• Bread – You can also freeze some if you need to.
• Peanut Butter
• Crackers
• Cereal/Granola Bars
• Peanuts/Trail Mix
• Cans of Tuna (some come in packs w/mayo)
• Cans of Vienna Sausage/Spam/Chili/Beefaroni, etc.
• Ramen Noodle Cups
• Can opener
• Medium pot for boiling water/Canned goods, etc.
• Portable Single Burner with Propane
• Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins
• Disposable Spoons, Forks and Knives

My husband is the expert survivalist, so his bag also has the following:

• Waterproof Matches
• Battery operated lantern
• Multi-function Swiss Knife
• Sewing kit
• Safety Goggles
• Dust Masks

Know Your Community

​It’s good to know what service, assistance and help is available if you need it. Even if you may not need it, it’s good to be able to pass along information to those who might. Here are some other great resources:

Centers for Independent Living
American Red Cross Evacuation and Emergency Plans
Find an open shelter
Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for Individuals with Disabilities

​Now, I know that our checklist is quite extensive. However, if you’ve never experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude, there is no way of truly knowing the extreme circumstances involved.  Trust in the fact that it is better to be well informed and prepared.
I hope you found this list helpful. We might not know exactly what to expect, but the hope is that we are prepared as best as we can for whatever mother nature brings our way. If you have any ideas to share that you didn't see on our list - please share them in the comments. 

​Thank you and stay safe dear friends.