Emergency Preparations – Hurricane Michael

While Hurricane Michael is making its way towards the Gulf Coast, Georgia and South Carolina residents need to look ahead to ensure their safety before the storm gets to us. It is important for persons with disabilities who may require specific support, resources, or additional time to get to a safe location.

Walton Options will continue to offer support and updates in the coming week. We work to keep our offices open during our usual office hours provided there is a safe environment for our staff, volunteers and consumers.

On Thursday October 11, our Augusta and North Augusta offices will be closed due to the expected severe weather. We will continue to keep you updated on our services moving into next week. We discourage travel during torrential rain and heavy storms that may occur in the coming days as a result of Hurricane Michael. We advise you to please call ahead to your local Walton Options office if you require services.

Our Emergency Services include-

Access and Charging stations for durable medical equipment (canes, walkers, AT chargers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, accessible cots, etc.) of items that were lost or damaged during the emergency.
Advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities in emergency shelters and beyond.
Visit shelters to assess for needs of individuals with disabilities, arrange services and provide I&R.
Assisting with transitioning home from shelters via connection to sister CILS in areas persons are returning to.
Information and Referral—calls regarding emergency preparation and impact will take priority. Post storm, we will assist in completing any documentation or applications to agencies such as FEMA and American Red Cross.

We will keep you updated on service availability through our Twitter and Facebook accounts. We want to work to assure people are safe and have necessary resources, but please keep in mind the limitations that we may face depending on the level of impact in our areas.

In addition, we have compiled a list of online resources that can be used before, during and after Hurricane Florence strikes. Many of these resources are valuable for other disaster emergency situations. This page will be updated as new resources become available.

Basics to prepare for Hurricane Florence

General Preparation Information – http://ready.ga.gov/be-informed/hurricanes/
Prepare an Emergency Prep Kit – http://ready.ga.gov/build-a-kit/
Make a communication Plan – http://ready.ga.gov/make-a-plan/

Individuals with Disabilities – Think about more than just food and water resources
https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

Ready Georgia App
Available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, this app is designed to offer you a variety of resources including alerts, traffic maps, “I’m safe notifications” and more.
http://ready.ga.gov/be-informed/alerts-and-warnings/mobileapp/

SC Emergency Manager
The official app of SCEMD. It is designed for users to build their own emergency plans, to keep track of supplies and to stay connected to loved ones. In addition, coastal residents can now “Know Your Zone” instantly using the maps feature as well as locate the nearest emergency shelters when they are open. The tools section features a flashlight, locator whistle and the ability to report damage to emergency officials. The SC Emergency Manager can function without the need of a data connection, which is useful when basic utilities are offline.
https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/mobile-applications/

Show Me: A communication Tool for Emergency Shelters

A series of tools designed to enhance communication between individuals with communication challenges and public health/emergency personnel/volunteers during times of emergencies.

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/emergency-prep/additional-access-needs/show-me.html

GasBuddy
A resource to check gas stations to see if they have fuel or not.
http://tracker.gasbuddy.com/Default.aspx

Local Resources

City of Aiken Safety & Emergency Preparedness Resources
https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/emergency-preparedness/

City of Augusta Emergency Management Resources
http://www.augustaga.gov/462/Emergency-Management

State of Emergency Contact numbers for GA Counties under State of Emergency
https://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/press_release/Emergency%20County%20Contact%20List%20EMA%20-%20Irma.pdf

511sc.org & 511ga.org
These websites offers real-time traffic updates for Georgia and South Carolina’s major roads.
http://www.511sc.org/
http://www.511ga.org/

News Updates:

South Carolina Govern Extends State of Emergency
https://scemd.org/news/sc-agencies-residents-prepare-for-hurricane-michael/

Georgia Governor Issues State of Emergency for 92 Counties
https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2018-10-09/deal-declares-state-emergency-ahead-hurricane-michael

Things to remember

In the lead up to, during and after the storm, here are some good tips to remember:

Before a Storm, remember these T.I.P.S:

Terms. A “watch” is a notification for residents to be on alert of a potential storm, and a “warning” indicates that a hurricane is expected in your area. Review the South Carolina Hurricane Guidefor more information.
Insurance and Important information. Review your insurance plans and have copies of important documents, such as driver’s licenses, medical information, and insurance cards.
Plan ahead. Create a family plan in the event that an evacuation is necessary, and keep emergency contact information handy. Don’t forget to consider your pets when planning for a possible evacuation.
Supplies. Plan ahead of time by creating emergency kits filled with survival necessities such as bottled water, non-perishable snacks, medication, batteries, blankets, crank radios and flashlights.

During a Storm:

Listen to local radio and television broadcasts for current conditions and recommended actions. You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts on your mobile device here.
When directed by local authorities, you may be required to evacuate. Know your designated evacuation route in advance.
Shelter. If you are unable to evacuate, seek shelter in an interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.

After a Storm:

Be aware of dangers. Be cautious of potential dangers, such as downed power lines, contaminated water, or possible gas leaks.
Document If possible, take photos of the damage on your property or residence, in addition to making written notes.
Seek assistance: Contact SCEMD’s Recovery Program to see what relief or recovery programs may be available for your area.
Be cautious of scams. Be alert to possible disaster-related scams such as fraudulent phone calls or price gouging, and report any suspected scams to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.Do not give any personal information, including credit card and bank account information, to unverified callers.

Article tags: emergency prep, hurricane prep, services update

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