While the heavily populated west coast and Tampa Bay area appear to have been spared from catastrophic damage overnight, some significant coastal flooding has been reported.
At this point, residents in the path of Idalia have either done all they can to protect life and property and have evacuated, or they have chosen to ride out the storm. Although the next 12 hours will be crucial to their immediate safety, the impacts of a major hurricane can last for weeks or months.
Living as I do in hurricane country, I've made it a point to have a disaster plan, a disaster buddy, a bug-out destination, and the things I would need to survive without electricity, running water, open grocery stores or pharmacies for a week or longer:
- A battery operated NWS Emergency Radio to find out what was going on, and to get vital instructions from emergency officials
- A decent first-aid kit, so that you can treat injuries
- Enough non-perishable food and water on hand to feed and hydrate your family (including pets) for the duration
- A way to provide light when the grid is down.
- A way to cook safely without electricity
- A way to purify or filter water
- A way to handle basic sanitation and waste disposal.
- A way to stay cool (fans) or warm when the power is out.
- A small supply of cash to use in case credit/debit machines arCoping with a Disaster or Traumatic Evente not working
- An emergency plan, including meeting places, emergency out-of-state contact numbers, a disaster buddy, and in case you must evacuate, a bug-out bag
- Spare supply of essential prescription medicines that you or your family may need
- A way to entertain yourself, or your kids, during a prolonged blackout
I do this not only for my physical health and comfort, but for my mental health as well. I sleep better at night knowing I'm prepared for the worst, and if it happens, I'll be less stressed and less challenged than had I not prepared.
I'm not as young, or as physically able, as I used to be. I realize that conditions I might have tolerated when I was 30 are a lot harder to deal with, now that I'm nearing 70.
Preparedness is cheap insurance. A good place to get started is READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/
For more on dealing with the trauma of a disaster, the CDC has a website geared to post-disaster stress.
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may be stressful for people and communities.
Learn more about coping during COVID-19.
During and after a disaster, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. Connect with family, friends, and others in your community. Take care of yourself and each other, and know when and how to seek help.
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans during an emergency and monitor for any new symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.
Explore the resources below to learn how to cope and take care of yourself and each other during an emergency.
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
Planning Resources for State and Local Governments
A small reminder that in the wake of a disaster not all wounds bleed, not all fractures show up on an X-ray, and that the best treatment doesn't always come from inside your first aid kit.
