Hurricane Season: May 15 – November 30
Having a plan for hurricane season becomes next level critical when you are caring for a family member. Dad is 98 and we have a plan A, B, C and D, to cover a host of possible scenarios. We have learned a few lessons from the best teachers. Hurricane Irma was the most recent and most memorable instructor. We learned from our mistakes and will hopefully be better prepared should we need to evacuate or ride out a storm. This item is included in our plan D, WaterBOB Bathtub Emergency Water Storage Container, Drinking Water Storage, Hurricane Survival, BPA-Free (100 Gallon). This is for general information only; Please source your local emergency services agencies for guidance and direction.
Staging area
We have a staging area for non-perishable food and supplies. All items are kept in bins that can be loaded quickly. We have a list of essential items that must go with us should we evacuate. This takes the pressure off last minute packing and includes Items like Dad’s cane, rolling walker, hat, sunglasses, wallet. A toiletries bag for each of us will be kept in the staging area through the season, one less worry if we need to leave.
Destination and travel plan
We have a target destination. Risks due to COVID-19 will make a long road trip more difficult, but we will have the supplies needed to stay safe on the road. We will have a picnic bag ready with two meals, utensils, paper plates and anything else we need to avoid eating meals in indoor, public spaces. My husband will help Dad remember how to be as safe as possible in public restrooms and have the hand sanitizer ready. When we arrive at our destination, it will be a reunion with family with unprecedented restrictions.
Greatest challenge
The greatest challenge we faced with Irma and what I dread most, is convincing Dad that we are leaving and that he is coming with us. This was an epic battle when we evacuated for Irma. It was the right thing to do. Our home was without power for a week. Lack of A/C, limited lighting, preparing meals without a fridge or stove were challenges that we may have been able to manage on our own, but could not imagine handling with and for Dad even with a generator. A shelter would not have been a safe place for Dad and much less safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
I will use the words and strategies that show respect and empathy, but must accept that the outcome may not be what is best. Short of a mandatory evacuation, we have to plan for the possibility that Dad refuses to leave and we will need to manage the situation with the resources we have available. Here is information about the special considerations from the CDC, Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults and from the Alzheimer’s Association, Preparing for Emergencies.
This is the plan that we created:
Prepare for the “What-ifs”
- Stay informed
- Keep up to date on weather reports
- Know where shelters are located
- Create a hurricane preparation and evacuation staging area and use bins to keep items organized
- Know the options and plan the evacuation route based on different scenarios
- Stock up on non-perishable food
- See list below
- Keep bags or boxes of food in a hurricane evacuation staging area if you plan to take them with you
- Fill fuel containers for vehicle
- Check supply of fuel for camp stove
- Check supply of battery-operated lights and spare batteries
- Have two weeks supply of medications and OTC medicine on hand
- Keep vehicles fueled up
- Run backup generator to verify it is in good working order
- Decide which files and documents you will take and put them in a travel box and place it in staging area
- Contact the pharmacy to coordinate the opportunity to keep at least two weeks supply of medicines on hand through the hurricane season.
Who to call (as needed)
- The Area Agency on Aging
- If you are connected to an AAA, they will ask if you have a plan for your family member
- Keep them posted on any changes to your plan or changes to the status of your care recipient
- Keep extended family members informed; a system where one person who is away from the storm relays information to the rest of the family can work well.
- Home care agency to cancel aides
- Neighbors
- Let them know your plan
- If they are staying, they can help you stay informed about power status
- They can take in any packages that are delivered
- Life alert company
- Stop mail service
- Stop Amazon Subscribe & Save or other recurring deliveries
- Stop meal delivery
What to take if we evacuate
Most critical items
- Dad’s medicines
- Incontinence supplies
- Oxygen
- First aid supplies
- Rolling walker
- Cane
- Important documents and files
- Passports
- First Aid Kit
Additional items for Dad
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Dad’s headphones
- Dad’s cell phone and charger
- Pillows for car
- Cooler with water, Ensure and V8
If we stay: Non-perishable food and supplies, two weeks supply
- Protein
- Tuna (we like Safe Catch)
- Beans
- Oatmeal
- High protein cereals
- Nuts
- Soups
- Healthy bars
- Fruits
- Dried
- Plastic containers, e.g. Dole
- Canned
- Vegetables
- Canned
- Soups
- Beverages
- Gallon jugs of water
- Water filter (gravity-fed, search ProPur and Berkey)
- V8
- Vegetable
- Fruit
- Ensure
- Coffee/Tea
- Creamer
- Sweetener
- Other
- Rice
- Pasta
- High protein grains (quinoa, bulgur, wheat berry)
- Cereal
- Cook stove and gas canisters (We have a couple backpacking stoves; a camping stove would also work.)
Non-Food Essentials
- Bathroom
- TP
- Wipes
- Soaps
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Lotion
- Incontinence supplies
- Misc
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
- Tissue
- Hand Sanitizer
- Disposable gloves
- Trash bags
Navigating the Caregiver River: A Journey to Sustainable Caregiving is available on Amazon. Also, check out the Self-Caregiving Strategies Podcast.
Schedule Theresa Wilbanks to speak on caregiving and empower the caregivers in your workplace or community with the 12 Sustainable Caregiving Strategies.
Advice offered is for general information only; please contact your healthcare team, legal or financial advisors to guide your particular situation.