Brevard Emergency Management Encourages Residents to Factor COVID-19 Into Hurricane Prep Plan

Brevard Emergency Management: Know Your Risks, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Stay Informed

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As the official start of Hurricane Season 2020 kicks off, Brevard County Emergency Management encourages residents to factor in the COVID-19 pandemic into your preparedness plans, along with the standard hurricane readiness steps that strongly recommend you to Know Your Risks, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Stay Informed.

“Preparation is essential for any hurricane season, but for this year, COVID-19 brings challenges that will require additional precautions to be taken to keep yourself and your family safe” said Interim Emergency Management Director John Scott.

“Consider adding things like hand sanitizer and face coverings to your disaster supply kits and should you or someone in your family be high risk for COVID-19, be sure to adjust your evacuation and shelter plan accordingly.

The County, along with our partners are examining our plans to ensure that we are enacting key protective measures such as social distancing, providing appropriate PPE, and more frequent deep-cleanings. The on-going pandemic does not reduce the immediate threats posed by a hurricane and we all must use this time to get ready.”

Emergency Management recommends:

Know Your Risks: Understand how hurricanes can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Find out whether you live in an evacuation zone (Map available at http://www.brevardcounty.us/EmergencyManagement/Preparedness). Consider whether you live in a mobile or manufactured home or in a storm surge zone.

Make a Plan: If you plan to evacuate, or if you must evacuate, decide on a place to go, and include your pet in your plan. Decide whether you’ll stay with relatives, at a hotel, or whether you’ll have no alternative but to utilize a County-opened general population shelter or pet-friendly shelter. If you have certain medical needs, including power-operated medical equipment or have a caregiver, and you plan to use a shelter,you’ll need to register for a special-needs shelter at http://web.brevardcounty.us/SpecialNeeds/Registration.aspx. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understand your hurricane plan. Discuss the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 and how it may affect your hurricane planning.

Build a Kit: You may need to survive on your own for sometime after an emergency. This means having non-perishable food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Assemble this kit well in advance, and plan ahead for needed medications, and supplies for pets and infants. Include a cell phone charger for your car, and you’ll want to have some cash and a full tank of gas. Due to COVID-19, include in your kit items that can help protect you and others, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and at least two cloth face coverings per person. Regardless of whether at home or in a shelter, wash your hands regularly and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from others and avoid groups of 10 per more people.

Stay Informed: Check weather forecasts regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and sign up for email or text alerts from the National Weather Service or local TV stations.

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR SEVERE WEATHER UPDATES

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