Post by grassrootsrebel on Oct 1, 2007 10:24:29 GMT -5
SOURCE: LIFE of Mississippi (Living Independence for Everyone)
www.lifeofms.com/page10.html
ARE YOU READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON?
Prepare Early
Steps You Can Take Now to Get Ready:
· DIRECT DEPOSIT - Are your paychecks and/or social security checks directly deposited into your bank accounts? Katrina hit on August 29 - many people did not receive their checks for weeks afterward, yet, desperately needed money. If you will have these checks directly deposited you can use your bank card.
· AMPLE MEDICATION - Speak to your doctor now about obtaining a 14 day supply of medications in case you have to evacuate, or the stores are not open, or there is no transportation.
· HURRICANE SURVIVAL KIT - We recommend you pack a survival kit now with needed items. Items to keep in the kit at all times are:
** 3 - 7 day supply of water (1 gallon a day for each person),
** Non-perishable food and a hand operated can opener (don't forget a few pots, pans, forks and plates)
** Portable battery powered radio or television and extra batteries
** Flashlight and extra batteries
** First Aid Kit
** Sanitary Items such as moist towelettes, toilet paper,
** Matches in a waterproof container
** Extra clothing and blankets
** Cash, coins and copies of ID cards, medical cards and credit
cards (this is recommended in case you lose your cards to the storm, you can quickly call and cancel them).
Early Warnings:
·Stay tuned to the National Weather Service, Listen and Watch for
These Terms: HURRICANE WATCH - A Hurricane Watch means that severe weather is threatening and may occur in your area. Continue to watch or listen to the television or radio for more information and advice.
· HURRICANE WARNING - A Hurricane Warning means that a Hurricane will likely hit your area SOON. This is a time to take action to protect yourself and loved ones. We recommend you EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!
EVACUATING:
· The Civil Defense and the American Medical Response (AMR)
recommend that people with disabilities evacuate early and not wait for an evacuation order. Some reasons for this are:
1) The highways and evacuation routes become crowded very quickly and often exits are closed to keep the traffic moving. Some persons with disabilities are unable to sit or ride for long periods of time. If you are someone who can not sit in one position for very long, you do not want to be stuck on the high way, unable to exit, should you need to do so.
2) Hotel Rooms that are made for people with disabilities, or
accessible hotel rooms, are often hard to find and will fill up
quickly. Do your research now and make a list of hotels further
north that have wheelchair accessible rooms.
3) The location of Emergency Shelters for People With Disabilities
are not announced until about 2 hours before a hurricane makes
landfall. By then it may be too late for you to leave your home.
Hospitals DO NOT shelter people with disabilities so this will not
be an option for you or your family.
TRANSPORTATION:
· If you do not have your own transportation, AMR has applications available now for people with disabilities who need transportation to shelters. Call your local American Medical Response office and get a copy of this form, fill it out and give it back to them NOW!
For phone numbers to the local AMR offices you can call the Biloxi
LIFE of MS office at 228-435-5433
SHELTERS:
· Emergency Shelters are available throughout southern and Central Mississippi. All shelters are located above I-10. Most shelters are located in schools and public buildings. Most shelters are not adequately set up for people with disabilities and do not have a lot of medical staff or volunteers to help you with medical needs. Most do not have air conditioning and food and water are in short supply. That is why we recommend that people with disabilities evacuate. However, if you are unable to evacuate and have no other choice but to go to a shelter, here are some tips that will make this stay a little easier.
· 1) Be ready to tell people what you need - you must advocate for yourself! Practice quickly explaining to people how to guide you or move you in case of an emergency. Be ready to give clear and specific instructions to family members, friends and volunteers, such as: "please take my oxygen tank/wheelchair/insulin/catheters" or "do not bend my knees because they have been fused in a bent position" or "I am partially deaf, so please write things down or look at me when you speak so I can read your lips" or "I am blind, please grasp my right elbow to guide me".
· 2) Be sure to take any and all special items that you need with
you, such as hearing aid batteries, diabetic supplies, ostomy
supplies, oxygen.
* 3) If you have a service animal, they will be allowed in hotels
and shelters. Be sure and plan for your service animal as well. Take plenty of food and water as well as medications, collars, leashes, identification tags, records of vaccinations, toys. Pets are not allowed in shelters and hotels. Make plans now for sheltering your pet.
Available Special Needs Shelter
PASCAGOULA - East Central Community Center (Singing River Hospital has agreed to send doctors and nurses to staff it).
Preparations to evacuate residents who do not have transportation is in progress. They are planning on using school buses. Residents must provide family and address information to the Red Cross for transportation. The school system will go to those locations and pick people up and take them to the East Central High School where the buses will take them to Red Cross shelters. The buses will transport residents back to Jackson County.
Residents will be limited to one load of personal supplies, and are
advised to bring necessary items - as if they were going on a
camping trip. They are currently looking for facilities near
shelters that can be used for residents with pets. The Red Cross
does not allow pets in their shelters.
FEMA trailers will have to evacuate during tropical storms and all
category hurricanes.
RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO WANT TRANSPORTATION NEED TO PRE-REGISTER BY CALLING 762-2455 AND ASK FOR ERIN LEE.
All Pascagoula residents who need transportation in case of an
evacuation during hurricane season should also call this number.
PICAYUNE - Schools used for shelters - West Side, Nicholson, South Side and Roseland Park. There will only be room for about 1,200 people in all 4 shelters. Sorry, there is no phone number provided to call for any further information.
STONE COUNTY- A special needs shelter is being planned for
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston campus. It will serve Stone and Harrison counties.
HARRISON COUNTY - People with special needs should call the Unmet Needs Emergency Management at 897-1358 or 896-0214.
HIGHWAYS THAT SHOULD BE USED TO EVACUATE:
Harrison County - Highway 53, Highway 67 or Highway 15
Jackson County - Highway 57, Highway 63 or Highway 613
Hanthingy County - Highway 603, Highway 43 Highway 607 or
Interstate 59. REMEMBER THAT THE OCEAN SPRINGS/BILOXI BRIDGE AND THE BAY/WAVELAND BRIDGE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED FOR EVACUATION.
AFTER A STORM:
After a storm, you will likely not have telephone service. Therefore
communicating with police departments, fire departments, ambulance services, doctors, personal assistants, home health providers or family and friends will be difficult, if not impossible (another reason to EVACUATE). Roads may be damaged or blocked, preventing you from leaving home for awhile. Utilities such as electricity, water and gas will likely be off. Be sure to let someone - who is not in a path of danger - know where you are staying, the address, and if possible a phone number to that location. It is scary for family and friends to be out of contact with you and unable to learn of your safety or know if you need help.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
Remember to protect yourself and your family at home or in a
shelter. If you have evacuated, which we recommend, remember that when you return home, you may be more vulnerable to crime. It is common for people to become short-tempered when they are hungry, thirsty or hot. Some situations may become dangerous. Remain aware of your surroundings, keep valuables, credit cards and ID cards safely tucked away, stay in groups whenever possible and BE AWARE.
www.lifeofms.com/page10.html
ARE YOU READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON?
Prepare Early
Steps You Can Take Now to Get Ready:
· DIRECT DEPOSIT - Are your paychecks and/or social security checks directly deposited into your bank accounts? Katrina hit on August 29 - many people did not receive their checks for weeks afterward, yet, desperately needed money. If you will have these checks directly deposited you can use your bank card.
· AMPLE MEDICATION - Speak to your doctor now about obtaining a 14 day supply of medications in case you have to evacuate, or the stores are not open, or there is no transportation.
· HURRICANE SURVIVAL KIT - We recommend you pack a survival kit now with needed items. Items to keep in the kit at all times are:
** 3 - 7 day supply of water (1 gallon a day for each person),
** Non-perishable food and a hand operated can opener (don't forget a few pots, pans, forks and plates)
** Portable battery powered radio or television and extra batteries
** Flashlight and extra batteries
** First Aid Kit
** Sanitary Items such as moist towelettes, toilet paper,
** Matches in a waterproof container
** Extra clothing and blankets
** Cash, coins and copies of ID cards, medical cards and credit
cards (this is recommended in case you lose your cards to the storm, you can quickly call and cancel them).
Early Warnings:
·Stay tuned to the National Weather Service, Listen and Watch for
These Terms: HURRICANE WATCH - A Hurricane Watch means that severe weather is threatening and may occur in your area. Continue to watch or listen to the television or radio for more information and advice.
· HURRICANE WARNING - A Hurricane Warning means that a Hurricane will likely hit your area SOON. This is a time to take action to protect yourself and loved ones. We recommend you EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!
EVACUATING:
· The Civil Defense and the American Medical Response (AMR)
recommend that people with disabilities evacuate early and not wait for an evacuation order. Some reasons for this are:
1) The highways and evacuation routes become crowded very quickly and often exits are closed to keep the traffic moving. Some persons with disabilities are unable to sit or ride for long periods of time. If you are someone who can not sit in one position for very long, you do not want to be stuck on the high way, unable to exit, should you need to do so.
2) Hotel Rooms that are made for people with disabilities, or
accessible hotel rooms, are often hard to find and will fill up
quickly. Do your research now and make a list of hotels further
north that have wheelchair accessible rooms.
3) The location of Emergency Shelters for People With Disabilities
are not announced until about 2 hours before a hurricane makes
landfall. By then it may be too late for you to leave your home.
Hospitals DO NOT shelter people with disabilities so this will not
be an option for you or your family.
TRANSPORTATION:
· If you do not have your own transportation, AMR has applications available now for people with disabilities who need transportation to shelters. Call your local American Medical Response office and get a copy of this form, fill it out and give it back to them NOW!
For phone numbers to the local AMR offices you can call the Biloxi
LIFE of MS office at 228-435-5433
SHELTERS:
· Emergency Shelters are available throughout southern and Central Mississippi. All shelters are located above I-10. Most shelters are located in schools and public buildings. Most shelters are not adequately set up for people with disabilities and do not have a lot of medical staff or volunteers to help you with medical needs. Most do not have air conditioning and food and water are in short supply. That is why we recommend that people with disabilities evacuate. However, if you are unable to evacuate and have no other choice but to go to a shelter, here are some tips that will make this stay a little easier.
· 1) Be ready to tell people what you need - you must advocate for yourself! Practice quickly explaining to people how to guide you or move you in case of an emergency. Be ready to give clear and specific instructions to family members, friends and volunteers, such as: "please take my oxygen tank/wheelchair/insulin/catheters" or "do not bend my knees because they have been fused in a bent position" or "I am partially deaf, so please write things down or look at me when you speak so I can read your lips" or "I am blind, please grasp my right elbow to guide me".
· 2) Be sure to take any and all special items that you need with
you, such as hearing aid batteries, diabetic supplies, ostomy
supplies, oxygen.
* 3) If you have a service animal, they will be allowed in hotels
and shelters. Be sure and plan for your service animal as well. Take plenty of food and water as well as medications, collars, leashes, identification tags, records of vaccinations, toys. Pets are not allowed in shelters and hotels. Make plans now for sheltering your pet.
Available Special Needs Shelter
PASCAGOULA - East Central Community Center (Singing River Hospital has agreed to send doctors and nurses to staff it).
Preparations to evacuate residents who do not have transportation is in progress. They are planning on using school buses. Residents must provide family and address information to the Red Cross for transportation. The school system will go to those locations and pick people up and take them to the East Central High School where the buses will take them to Red Cross shelters. The buses will transport residents back to Jackson County.
Residents will be limited to one load of personal supplies, and are
advised to bring necessary items - as if they were going on a
camping trip. They are currently looking for facilities near
shelters that can be used for residents with pets. The Red Cross
does not allow pets in their shelters.
FEMA trailers will have to evacuate during tropical storms and all
category hurricanes.
RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO WANT TRANSPORTATION NEED TO PRE-REGISTER BY CALLING 762-2455 AND ASK FOR ERIN LEE.
All Pascagoula residents who need transportation in case of an
evacuation during hurricane season should also call this number.
PICAYUNE - Schools used for shelters - West Side, Nicholson, South Side and Roseland Park. There will only be room for about 1,200 people in all 4 shelters. Sorry, there is no phone number provided to call for any further information.
STONE COUNTY- A special needs shelter is being planned for
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston campus. It will serve Stone and Harrison counties.
HARRISON COUNTY - People with special needs should call the Unmet Needs Emergency Management at 897-1358 or 896-0214.
HIGHWAYS THAT SHOULD BE USED TO EVACUATE:
Harrison County - Highway 53, Highway 67 or Highway 15
Jackson County - Highway 57, Highway 63 or Highway 613
Hanthingy County - Highway 603, Highway 43 Highway 607 or
Interstate 59. REMEMBER THAT THE OCEAN SPRINGS/BILOXI BRIDGE AND THE BAY/WAVELAND BRIDGE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED FOR EVACUATION.
AFTER A STORM:
After a storm, you will likely not have telephone service. Therefore
communicating with police departments, fire departments, ambulance services, doctors, personal assistants, home health providers or family and friends will be difficult, if not impossible (another reason to EVACUATE). Roads may be damaged or blocked, preventing you from leaving home for awhile. Utilities such as electricity, water and gas will likely be off. Be sure to let someone - who is not in a path of danger - know where you are staying, the address, and if possible a phone number to that location. It is scary for family and friends to be out of contact with you and unable to learn of your safety or know if you need help.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
Remember to protect yourself and your family at home or in a
shelter. If you have evacuated, which we recommend, remember that when you return home, you may be more vulnerable to crime. It is common for people to become short-tempered when they are hungry, thirsty or hot. Some situations may become dangerous. Remain aware of your surroundings, keep valuables, credit cards and ID cards safely tucked away, stay in groups whenever possible and BE AWARE.