WHAT HAPPENS IF A DISASTER STRIKES TODAY? WILL YOU BE READY?
People with disabilities may feel especially overwhelmed when disastrous events occur outside of their control. Planning and being prepared can be empowering and reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, and property damage. Use our simple tools and resources provided by the follow agencies to prepare yourself and your family.
WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO PREPARE
Get a Kit
Learn the essential supplies to put in your family’s survival kit.
Make a Plan
Plan effectively for you and your family in case of an emergency.
Be Informed
Understand which disasters are likely to occur in your area and what you must know to stay safe.
CREATE YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN IN JUST 3 STEPS
1) With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
2) Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.
3) Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.
CHOOSE AN EMERGENCY PLAN FROM BELOW THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Download California State Council on Developmental Disabilities Emergency Preparedness Guide
Download Red Cross Family Disaster Plan in English
Download Red Cross Family Disaster Plan in Spanish
WHAT IS YOUR SHELTER PLAN?
During a disastrous event, you will want to make a plan for your shelter. Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies. Should you Stay-At-Home, go to a Mass Care Shelter, or Shelter in Place. Below are many resources to make the decision that is right for you and your family.
During extended periods of sheltering you will need to manage water and food supplies to make sure you and your family have what you need to get by. Read more about managing water and managing food.
For the latest information on food safety tips related to COVID-19 visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Consumer page.
Check with local officials about what shelter spaces are available. Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and a ZIP code to 43362. Example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply).
Learn more by visiting: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
PLAN TO EVACUATE
Many kinds of emergencies can cause you to have to evacuate. In some cases, you may have a day or two to prepare while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances. Learn what to do before, during, and after an evacuation.
Visit https://www.ready.gov/evacuation
Download the FEMA app for a list of open shelters during an active disaster in your local area.
You must have a FEMA registration ID and approval from FEMA to participate. Click to find a participating hotel .
You may also call the FEMA Helpline from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, 7 days a week:
- 1-800-621-3362 (711 or VRS available)
- If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned phone, or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.
Create a family communications plan
RECOVERY AFTER A DISASTER
The FEMA Disaster Assistance website will connect you to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers closest to your address. You also can fill out an online tool to be connected to more resources and/or apply for assistance online.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Disaster Help Line ~ 800/621-3362 ~ TTY 1-800-462-7585 711 ~ VRS 1-800-621-3362
fema.gov
The FEMA Helpline can answer questions about the help offered by FEMA and how to apply for assistance. Call 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, 7 days a week:
Listos California has free print, online, text message, social media and streaming audio and video resources in more than 20 languages that you can use to learn how to prepare for a disaster.
DISASTER DIRECTORIES BY COUNTY
58 Disaster Directories for each California county, with information to help highly vulnerable populations get ready for wildfires, earthquakes, floods and power shutoffs.
San-Bernardino-County-Disaster-Directory-English.pdf (listoscalifornia.org)
Riverside-County-Disaster-Directory-English.pdf (listoscalifornia.org)
Disaster Directories — English – Listos California
Administration for Community Living
https://acl.gov/programs/emergency-response-information
American Association on Health and Disability
301/545-6140
aahd.us
American Red Cross
Missing Persons Hot Line
800/733-2767
Safe and Well List
safeandwell.communityos.org/zf/safe/add
American Red Cross
Find an Open Shelter
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
American Red Cross
Contact Loved Ones
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html
American Red Cross
How to Prepare for Emergencies
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html
Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness
fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf
California Department of Emergency Services
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/individuals-families
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
emergency.cdc.gov
Easter Seals
s.a.f.e.t.y. first
easterseals.com/explore-resources/making-life-accessible/safety-first.html
National Institutes of Health
ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dem/emergencyPrep/Pages/emergencyPrep.aspx
Office of Disability Employment Policy
dol.gov/odep/topics/EmergencyPreparedness.htm
Ready
ready.gov
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
phe.gov/emergency/events/sandy/Pages/mental-health.aspx
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
dhs.gov/how-do-i/prepare-my-family-disaster
U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
usfa.fema.gov
USFA Kid’s Page
usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/children.html