How to Prepare for Specific Types of Disasters
Each type of disaster has its own unique challenges and risks. In addition to general disaster precautions and planning, here are some ideas to help you and your patients navigate different situations.
- Water-related Disasters
- Hurricanes and heavy rainfall can produce flash-flooding and prolonged flooding, which Texas often experiences after hurricanes.
- Remind families to “turn around, don’t drown” so they avoid dangerous driving conditions when water is over a road.
- Water Safety and Boil Water Notices
- Stay aware of water quality issues and be ready to advise families about water safety. Follow local authorities on social media to understand “boil water notices” so you can anticipate patient questions and treat potential illnesses resulting from water quality problems.
- Tornadoes
- Be informed about local tornado sirens and how to access updated official tornado information. Know the difference between a weather watch and a warning.
- Advise families to know how to shelter in place safely from a tornado. Helmets may help prevent injury or death.
- For adolescents who may be driving, discuss ways to take shelter if a storm develops while they are behind the wheel.
- Wildfires
- Advise families about precautions that can protect them from wildfires, including cutting back trees and brush around their home.
- Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, most infectious disease outbreaks are local and may not receive widespread news coverage. Encourage families to implement local health authority recommendations in case of a local disease outbreak. Typical precautions include thorough handwashing and other hygiene, isolating sick individuals from healthy ones and seeking medical care when needed.
- Winter Storms
- Encourage families to have a 5-day supply of drinking water and nonperishable food for each family member plus emergency supplies and batteries in case they are required to shelter in place.
- Advise families to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they function properly.
- Teach that layering clothing and blankets, as well as keeping family close together, can help maintain warmth during a loss of power in cold weather.
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