How to Help Older Adults Prepare for Severe Weather

Whether it be a winter storm, hurricane, tornado, heat wave or other severe weather emergency, it is important to have an emergency supplies kit packed and in place before the disaster occurs. Older adults usually need to take some additional precautions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Weather radio
• Emergency supplies kit
• Emergency contact numbers

1. Invest in a NOAA weather alert radio. These public alert radios provide local weather reports and bulletins for severe weather and hazardous conditions round the clock.

2. Store enough nonperishable foods and bottled water to last at least three days. Choose foods that can be carried easily should you need to evacuate. Rotate food supplies regularly and replace bottled water every six months.

3. Post emergency contact numbers near the phone. Also plan other ways to signal for help, especially if telephone lines are down. Email messages sometimes can get through when telephone calls cannot.

4. Assemble an emergency supplies kit that includes flashlights, batteries, lighter, needed medications and appropriate shoes, clothing and weather gear.

5. Arrange for transportation in advance should you need to evacuate to an emergency shelter.

6. Ask a neighbor, friend or family member to check on you.

7. Plan ahead with home health care services, particularly instructing those who may need to assist you in an emergency about your special needs. Find out if agency employees will be able to get to you during a severe weather emergency.

8. Identify the safest areas in your home to shelter if a tornado threatens – usually in a basement away from the west and south walls; in a small, windowless interior room like a closet or bathroom; or under stairs or a heavy piece of furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the nature of the emergency, some communications systems may work when others do not. If cell phones fail, try using a standard phone connected to a land line. Pagers, email, text messaging and two-way radios are other ways you can try communicating with others.
• Most injuries and deaths related to severe weather occur because people either are unaware or uninformed. If the skies look ominous, immediately tune in to your local weather channel for up-to-the minute reports on the weather.