Tips for moving those with special needs
Hurricanes present special circumstances
People with special medical needs need to plan their evacuation before a hurricane hits.
They should have extra refills of medications in case the storm forces stores to close down for several days, says Jeff Kalina, MD, FACEP, associate director of emergency medicine with The Methodist Hospital in Houston. Also, if they have to go to the hospital, it's good to have a list of their medical conditions, medications, and allergies written down.
The elderly will need some extra attention during the evacuation, he points out. Putting an older person in the back of a car in the middle of summer puts them at risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration, Kalina says. It's imperative to have plenty of water and, if possible, ice or some kind of a fan that can cool them off if traffic comes to a standstill, he says. During the Houston evacuation of Hurricane Rita in 2005, several elderly people died in their cars from the intense heat.
Sitting in a car for hours also puts an older person at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It's important that everyone, but especially the elderly, get up and walk around at least every two hours if they are not bedridden.
Kalina urges people to evacuate early if they are in the evacuation zone to prevent being stuck on the road with nowhere to go. If they have to ride out a hurricane at home, he offers some tips:
They should not wait until a storm threatens to purchase provisions. They should put together a survival kit now. They also should make sure they have a hurricane kit: battery-powered radio, battery-powered flashlight, canned food, and at least three gallons of water per person. They should not forget to pack a manual can opener in their hurricane kit.
Before the storm, they should fill their car's gasoline tank. They should make sure their cell phone is charged. If they have an extra battery, they should make sure it is charged as well.
If they do not have text messaging, they should sign up for the service. When the cell phone towers are down, it can be the only other way to get through.
If they are on home oxygen or nebulizers, they should make sure they have backup medication and power sources in case of a mass power outage.
They don't have to buy drinking water at the store. They can rinse out plastic milk jugs and refill with tap water before the storm hits. They should fill buckets and their bathtubs with water, also.
They should protect their property. They should put away anything lawn chairs, toys, tools, etc. that can become a missile during high winds. Taping the windows of their home will not work. They should use plywood to secure windows.
If the power goes out, they should not use candles unless they absolutely have to. Candles can be a fire hazard.
Inland cities and counties might not receive hurricane surge flooding, but they can be susceptible to high winds and heavy rainfall. They should take the same precautions as they would for a tornado, as these are more likely during a hurricane.
After the storm, people should resist the urge to go outside and look around. There might be hazards, including downed power lines. They should listen to a local radio broadcast to learn when it's safe to venture outside.
The water supply might be unsafe after a storm. Local authorities will know if floodwaters have tainted a neighborhood's water supply.
People with special medical needs need to plan their evacuation before a hurricane hits.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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