Community Supports
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive forces. Updates regarding weather conditions are available from the National Weather Service. NWS - on average, 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Hurricane season – when conditions are most favorable for the formation of hurricanes runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.
Be vigilant and alert to local weather and news at the National Weather Service. In addition, the Florida Division of Emergency Management website has a section of resources and information specifically tailored for people with disabilities/special needs and their families (available in multiple languages) to help prepare for emergencies, protect themselves and be survivors. For a complete list of emergency management offices and contacts by county (available in multiple languages), click here.
Emergency Supplies and Planning
American Red Cross helps you to 'Be Red Cross Ready' (Available in multiple languages)
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian and disaster-relief organization that provides shelter, food, physical and mental health services, financial assistance, transportation, medications, life rebuilding tools to those in desperate need.
- Be Red Cross Ready: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed: Learn how to keep your home and family safe before, during, after a hurricane or typhoon with this interactive module, which includes picture, audio, and video content.
Make these items a part of your emergency kit:
- Hurricane Preparedness Kits for Individuals with Autism Suggested Items: Created by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at USF, the following resource is a checklist that is comprised of a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Learn how to secure your property before a disaster and recover afterwards: (Available in multiple languages)
- PrepareFL: This toolkit (available in English, Spanish, and Creole) is designed to help individuals organize their financial information before and after a disaster.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Family Disaster Planning website (available in multiple languages) helps you create your family disaster plan as well as find emergency contacts, evacuation routes and more in your county.
- Florida's Network of Shelters
- Disaster Preparedness Maps. Florida Division of Emergency Management webpage providing maps of evacuation routes and zones, storm surge zones, as well as storm surge atlases.
Resources for Community Members and Professionals
Emergency Checklist
This checklist was designed to help individuals and families get organized before disaster strikes. This list helps with creating a plan and gathering supplies in advance so that you and your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.
Ready Kids
Natural and man-made disasters can happen anywhere and at any time. Ready Kids has the tools and resources that allow kids, teens, and parents to make a big difference when disasters strike.
National Resources
Ready.gov
Officially launched in 2003, Ready.gov is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
DisasterAssistance.gov
Finding shelter is a critical step someone can take during a time of need. The following list of linked resources can help you and your family find emergency shelter.
Copyright © 2021, University of South Florida. All rights reserved. Contact webmaster.
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA • 813-974-2011
This website is maintained by Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.