
Being prepared for an emergency, such as a tornado warning or other severe weather conditions, should always be a priority in your home. When you live in an area where these types of emergencies are common, having a plan in place can be the difference between panicking and immediately following the right steps to keep everyone safe.
If you have a loved one with a disability, such as a spinal cord injury or limb loss, there are extra steps that should be considered when you’re making a plan to prepare for a tornado. While everyone in your care should be a priority, there may be extra challenges and precautions needed if someone in your home is living with a disability.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to create an emergency preparedness plan for individuals with disabilities. We’ll also talk about the importance of having one.
How to prepare for tornadoes and severe weather with a loved one who has a disability
Many U.S. households prioritize emergency planning for severe weather conditions, like tornadoes. In fact, FEMA has reported that more than 45% of Americans have emergency plans and more than 60% have looked for preparedness information. If you have a loved one with a disability, there’s more comprehensive emergency planning that needs to be done.
Here are some steps for emergency planning for people with disabilities:
- Create an accessible communication plan — If your loved one with a disability has speech or hearing challenges, it’s essential to come up with a plan for effective communication with all household members. This can include having assistive devices, word boards or predetermined signals. Hearing aids should also be considered, such as what to do if they get damaged and having backups available.
- Put together a kit — One of the first steps in preparing for a severe condition like a tornado is to assemble an emergency supply kit, which should include the standard items, such as bottled water, a first aid kit and flashlights. If your loved one has a disability, it should include backups of necessary equipment, as well as sealed, waterproof copies of their medical records.
- Know where to go if there is a tornado — If your loved one with a disability is unable to move to the basement during a tornado, you should have an alternate location. Identify a safe space to take shelter. Use a windowless room, such as a bathroom or closet, on the lowest possible level of the home.
- Plan for loss of power — There’s extra planning that needs to be done for people with disabilities if your home loses power. If there are medications that need to be refrigerated, have a backup plan, such as an ice chest. You should also have alternate sources of power for medical equipment, such as ventilators or CPAP machines. Even if you have a generator, you should prepare for the chance that it won’t work.
- Register with emergency services — You can alert the emergency department closest to your home of your address and the general location of your room. Register with your local utility company if you use equipment that relies on power, such as a power wheelchair or ventilator. You may be able to be on a priority list for power restoration.
- Create a plan for evacuation — Since mobility is a common challenge for many people with disabilities, it’s important to figure out how they will be able to evacuate quickly and safely if needed. This means taking into account exit strategies if an elevator isn’t working or if a wheelchair ramp has been shaken loose by winds or flooding.
- Take service animals into consideration — If your loved one has a service animal, they should also be considered during preparation. An emergency plan should include how the service animal should be cared for if your loved one is unable to. You should also have the animal’s license ready to present at a shelter if evacuated.
- Map out a support network — It’s always important to know who you can depend on in times of emergency. Form a personal support network consisting of loved ones, trusted caregivers and healthcare professionals you can contact for help. You can also register with local disability organizations or government agencies. They can connect you with the right resources.
Why it’s important for people with disabilities to prepare for severe weather
Everyone should expect the unexpected. You should always have a plan to keep your family safe and healthy during an emergency. But if you have a loved one who has a disability, proper emergency preparedness can bring additional benefits, including:
- Understanding additional assistance and lead time required for disabilities
- Reducing the risk of a medical emergency or impact from the weather
- Reducing anxiety for both the person with a disability and their loved ones
- Ensuring that everyone knows their role in providing care
- Learning about local resources for people with disabilities
Ability KC is a resource for people with disabilities preparing for a tornado
Severe weather conditions, like tornadoes, can seem scary. However, the right preparation can alleviate those nerves. If you’re not sure about the proper precautions that need to be taken for a loved one with a disability when preparing for severe weather, such as a tornado, Ability KC is here to help. We can educate you on everything you need to know to properly care for your loved one in times of emergency.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information.