Category: disaster

Learning from 2020: Preparing for a Second COVID-19 Hurricane Season

June 1, 2021, marked the beginning of the second Atlantic Hurricane Season during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has affected how we prepare for emergencies in a number of ways, including how we gather emergency supplies, what we include in our emergency supply kits, where we shelter, and how we seek care and preventive services. Read More >

Posted on by Vivi Siegel, MPH, Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications lead, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry3 CommentsTags , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stay Informed: How Scales Help Us Describe Disasters

Palm trees bending in strong winds.

Last year’s Atlantic hurricane season was record-breaking. There were 30 named storms during the 2020 season. Thirteen of those became hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or greater). Six of those reached Category 3 or higher.(1) Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Other scales are used by experts to explain and describe Read More >

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When Evacuation is a Must – Protect Yourself from Norovirus

A woman with her hand on her stomach.

Natural disasters are unpredictable. Often, we don’t know when or where they will happen or if we will have to leave our homes because of them. Evacuations for hurricanes and wildfires can force people into emergency shelters, where close quarters, shared spaces, and high-touch surfaces can make it easy for norovirus to spread. Norovirus outbreaks Read More >

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Kitchen Conversations: How to Talk with Young Children About COVID-19

Teenager conversation with parents

This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone. The COVID-19 outbreak has changed our daily lives in ways we never could have imagined. As a result, many of us are wearing multiple hats, including that of a homeschool teacher. Children learn from adults outside of scheduled school time, too. Kids are observant. They soak in Read More >

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Prepare Your Health for the 2020 Hurricane Season

Hurricane Evacuation Sign

Post updated: Aug. 10, 2020 Hurricane season may not be top of mind in this stressful time, but it is something to think about. Although it may feel like there is not much you can control these days, there are actions you can take while protecting yourself and others from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to Read More >

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The Right Stuff: Know Your Personal Needs Before an Emergency

Graphic of someone testing their blood using a blood glucose monitor

September is National Preparedness Month. Throughout the month, the Center for Preparedness and Response will publish posts that highlight the work of public health departments as it relates to personal health preparedness themes. This week’s theme is Personal Needs. Personal needs are the things—the stuff—you will need to protect you and your family’s health in Read More >

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