CDC Partners
CDC Responds to 2008 Hurricane Season
CDC is partnering with many organizations in response to Hurricane Gustav and preparing for Hurricane Ike's projected landfall on the Gulf Coast. (For up-to-date information about Hurricane Ike, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. CDC has sent 77 staff to affected and potentially affected areas. Working with the Department of Health and Human Services and federal, state and local partners, including businesses, CDC's response is focused on protecting people's health and safety during storm preparation and recovery.
Hurricane Ike
CDC is working to help communities prepare for landfall along coastal areas that may be affected by the storm. Federal experts are working with state and local officials to prepare for evacuation of coastal counties.
CDC experts are also assisting in deploying and setting up Federal Medical Stations in Texas. Federal Medical Stations are mobile units, consisting of medical supplies, equipment, and healthcare providers which provide medical care for evacuees with special needs. Each medical station has beds, supplies, and medicine to treat 250 people for a period of time determined by state and local needs, without drawing resources from the host community. Currently, there are 5 tations in Texas.
Hurricane Gustav
CDC has sent experts to affected areas to assist in recovery for Hurricane Gustav. This includes environmental health experts who are working in New Orleans to assess safety at food-handling facilities that may have been damaged by the storm.
Additional CDC experts are providing public health and medical support, assisting with local efforts and monitoring state surveillance activities in local areas.
In addition to deploying staff and resources, CDC is working closely with federal, state and local partners, including businesses, to distribute information on how to recover safely after a hurricane and how to prepare for future storms. Recovering safely includes protecting personal health and preventing injury. We know many of our partners have employees and facilities in areas affected or threatened by hurricanes. We hope you will share these health protection messages in those areas.
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.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning after a disaster.
Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices produce deadly CO gases.
Always use these devices outdoors, far away from windows, doors and vents.
Pressure washers and other gasoline powered tools also give off high levels of CO and should be used outdoors.
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.
Updates
Page last updated: September 12, 2008
Content source: Division of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
Content owner: National Center for Health Marketing
