My Thoughts

1. ​Keep the family together. Even in bad times, togetherness provides mutual support for all members.
2. Discuss your problems. Talk to family and friends. Share your anxieties. Let others talk to you to help release tension. Crying is a natural response to a disaster. It’s also a great way to release pent-up emotions.
3. Rest often and eat well. You are more likely to suffer from stress and health problems when you are weak. Being active helps, but don’t overdo it. Your body must have proper rest and nour­ishment for you to keep going.
4. Set a manageable schedule. You have a million things to do, but you can’t do everything at once. Make a list and do jobs one at a time. Establish a schedule to clean up and rebuild. Try to return to your pre­ flood routines as quickly as possi­ble. Routines give you something predictable to depend upon.
5. Watch for signs of stress. You have just been through a disaster and the recovery period can be long, hard, and chaotic. Don’t be surprised if you experience tension or see signs of stress in family members. Often other people will notice problems more readily than you do. Listen to them.
6. Seek help. If you cannot shake feelings of despair or other telltale signs of stress, get professional help. Special outreach programs and crisis counseling are often set up following a disaster because so many people need help to cope with their situation. Contact the Red Cross for programs available in your area.

1. Try to keep the family together. Make an effort to establish normal family routines. Include children in cleanup activities. Children need and want to be important parts of the family.
2. Listen to what children say. Encourage them to talk or otherwise express their feelings. Teenagers may need to talk with other teenagers.
3. Explain the disaster factually. Children have vivid imaginations and what they don’t understand can make them fearful. Knowing the facts can help children deal better with the disaster.
4. Reassure children. Show them through words and actions that life will return to normal.
5. Touching and holding are impor­tant. Hugs help. Try to find or replace pets or favorite toys.
6. Be understanding. Avoid scolding children for things that might be flood-related, such as bed-wetting, thumb sucking, or clinging to you. Remember, they are also going through a rough time.
7. Take care of yourself. Your children reflect your fears and worries. If you take care of your­self you will be better able to help your children cope.

One important thing to note is that in all of these disaster scenarios it is safer to evacuate with your family and pets. However, keep in mind that boarding facilities, kennels and animal shelters require that your pets have all their vaccinations up to date, or you might be turned away. Also, many emergency shelters do NOT accept pets for health and safety reasons, so pet-friendly shelters will fill up fast.

Hurricanes
Although hurricanes have seasons (Jun.1-Nov.30 in the Atlantic and May15-Nov.30 in the Eastern Pacific), weather experts still have trouble predicting just how many storms regions will get each year and what their paths will be. Here’s what you can do:

Hurricane Preparation

1. Designate a hurricane-safe location that will accommodate your entire family, including pets. A windowless room nearest to the ground floor is recommended.
2. If you live in an area affected by hurricanes, get in the habit of doing “drills” with your family and pets during the off season to ensure they will all know what to do in the event of an emergency.
3. Prepare a pet emergency kit and keep enough crates to hold each pet in the event of a storm in the designated area for each pet. Panic can give rise to out of the ordinary behaviors in pets and fast confinement will be required.
4. If you can evacuate, don’t leave your pets behind. Take proper pet identification and emergency kits for your pets as well as your family.

During a Hurricane

If your family is weathering the storm inside the home, make it to your “safe room” and crate your pet as soon as possible. If you can, place the crates under heavy, durable furniture.

After a Hurricane

1. Always be extra careful when going outdoors following a hurricane. Only exit the home after you and your family are certain the storm has passed.
2. Keep your pets secured at all times. Cats should remain in their carriers, and dogs on a leash.
3. Don’t allow your pets to go near water or other liquids on the ground; debris from the hurricane may have contaminated the area or live power lines may be laying in the water.
4. Keep everyone (including yourself) away from downed power lines.

1. Infants, pregnant women, and people with health problems should avoid the flooded area until cleanup is complete. Small children tend to put things in their mouths. Pregnant women need to be cautious to avoid injury and exposure to disease.
2. Don’t work if you’re sick. People with health problems are more likely to get sick or be injured.
3. Replace prescriptions. The Red Cross can help you replace medicine or lost prescrip­tions after a disaster.
4. Your body is used to being clean. When you work in an area that has been flooded, you will be exposed to dangerous chemicals and germs that you are not used to and can make you very sick.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water, thoroughly and often. This is especially impor­tant before handling food, eating, or smoking. If possible, use an antibacterial soap on your hands. Avoid biting your nails.
6. Confirm that the water is clean and safe. Don’t drink it or wash dishes until you’re sure.
7. Disinfect dishes and all items that floodwaters touched.
8. Don’t hurt yourself. Items are much heavier when wet. Don’t try to move large objects by yourself Unfortunately, injuries, especially back injuries, are a common side effect of cleaning up after a flood.
9. Watch out for fatigue. When your body is tired, you are more prone to accidents. Set a realistic schedule for the work you will do each day.
10. Be Safe Around Poisons. Many of the products you will use to clean, disinfect, and repair your home are poisons. Read and follow label instructions. And keep all chemical products out of the reach of children. Have the number for your local Poison Control Center posted by your telephone and call right away if anyone is poisoned.
11. Report health hazards. Tell the Health Department about animal carcasses, rats, dangerous chemicals, and similar hazards on your property.
12. Be patient. Above all, try to be patient with your family, your neighbors, the local, state, and federal authorities, and volunteer agency personnel. Remember that many others are in the same situation you are in, and it may take time for everyone to get service. You may have to wait your turn.