CDC Responds to Hurricane 2008 Season

September 8, 2008

CDC is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and federal, state and local partners to respond to Hurricane Gustav and prepare for Hurricane Ike, which is likely to affect weather, health and safety in the coastal Gulf states toward the end of this week.

Hurricane Gustav:

CDC deployed numerous experts to affected areas in preparation and response to Hurricane Gustav.
Among those who were recently deployed for Hurricane Gustav are 6 environmental health experts who have been sent to New Orleans to begin assessments of food handling facilities.
Additional CDC experts have been providing public health and medical support, assisting with local efforts, and monitoring state surveillance activities in local areas.
State health departments in affected areas have been assisting each other with responding to and recovering from the storm and are working to restore infrastructure to affected areas. Priorities include restoring electricity and clean water, and repairing roads and buildings damaged by the storm.
As damage assessments are completed, state and local authorities are making decisions about who can return home safely.

Hurricane Ike:

CDC experts are working in areas that are likely to be affected by Hurricane Ike (either because of storm related health threats or providing temporary shelter for evacuees). Included among CDC staff assisting state health departments are four Senior Management Officials assigned to Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana.
In preparation for Hurricane Ike, federal medical stations are preparing to be sent to locations in Texas (Marshall, Tyler, and College Station), Florida (currently staged in Orlando) and Mississippi (Jackson). Federal medical stations were sent to three locations in Louisiana (Alexandria, Ruston, and Baton Rouge) in advance of Hurricane Gustav and will likely remain in place for Hurricane Ike. The federal medical stations are each made up of a collection of medical supplies and equipment that can be used to provide medical care for special needs patients who have evacuated. Each medical station has beds, supplies, and medicine to treat 250 people for up to three days and special teams are deployed with the stations to provide set-up assistance.

In addition to deploying staff and resources, CDC is working closely with federal, state and local partners to distribute information on how to safely recover safely after a hurricane and also how to prepare for future storms. Currently key public health recommendations for recovery and preparedness, including messages below, are being disseminated by CDC through multiple channels and partners.

There are many things you can do to stay safe before and during a storm.

Protect your health and safety when authorities tell you to evacuate from the path of a hurricane.

Turn off gas, electricity, and water and disconnect appliances before you leave.
Stock your car with a complete emergency kit if you are driving out of the area. Follow the designated evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic.
If possible, fill your gas tank before beginning evacuation.
Contact local emergency management authorities if you have questions about evacuating.

Take your prescription medicines with you if you evacuate.

Also take any medical supplies you use regularly.
Forgotten medications and supplies will be hard to replace if pharmacies are closed during and after a hurricane.
If you’re unable to evacuate, ask someone to help you pick up emergency supplies, including a week’s supply of medication, if you cannot drive yourself.

Be safe and keep informed if authorities advise you to stay at home during the storm.

Monitor the radio or television for weather reports and follow instructions related to the storm.
Until the storm is over, stay indoors in a basement or an interior room, away from all windows and exterior doors.
If your home is damaged or emergency workers tell you to leave, evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home.

There are many things you can do to stay safe as you recover after a storm.

Follow manufacturer’s directions to prevent chain saw injuries after a disaster.

Read the instruction manual and start the chain saw using only the method recommended by the manufacturer.
It is best to wear protective equipment, including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, heavy work gloves, and boots which cover the ankle.
When cutting, keep the chain saw at waist level or below to improve your control of the saw.

Frequent handwashing helps prevent illness.

Use plenty of soap and water, or a hand sanitizer.
Wash before making food, eating, or touching a cut or sore.
Wash after using the bathroom, coughing, or sneezing.

Keep children and pets away from household chemicals.

After a hurricane, spilled or leaking chemicals can pose a poisoning hazard.
Do not combine chemicals, or put down drains or toilets.
If someone swallows a chemical, immediately call the Poison Control Center toll free at 1.800.222.1222.

For more information about how to stay safe before, during and after hurricanes, please listen to the advice of your local officials and visit emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes.

Previous Updates

More Information

For more information about how to stay safe before, during and after hurricanes, please visit emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes.

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Page last updated September 8, 2008
Content source: CDC Emergency Communication System (ECS), Division of Health Communication and Marketing (DHCM), National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)