Persons With Special Needs May Require Additional Help During A Disaster Evacuation 

Release Date: May 25, 2006
Release Number: 1604-368

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BILOXI, Miss. -- Gulf Coast residents who do not have their own transportation to evacuate from an approaching hurricane should call the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to register for its 2006 Evacuation Transportation survey by 6 p.m. (CDT), Friday, May 26.

Residents of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties without their own means for evacuating should call (866) 647-0966 or (TTY) (228) 385-5769 for the speech- or hearing-impaired to be placed on the list of those needing possible assistance in case of severe weather emergencies.

If you know individuals who have special needs, call to inform them of the survey, and advise them to plan accordingly; assist in their preparations if necessary.

Remember, the visually impaired may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings, especially if the request to evacuate comes from an unknown person (emergency worker, etc.). Arrangements may be needed for a guide dog (food, water, etc.).

People who are hearing-impaired may need special arrangements or equipment to receive warnings, and those who are mobility-impaired might need special assistance to get to emergency shelter.

Single working parents might need help planning for disasters and emergencies, and non-English speaking persons may need visual aids or translated guides to plan for disasters.

People with special dietary needs should take precautions to have an adequate food supply, while those with medical conditions should know the location and availability of more than one facility if they are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.

Mentally challenged persons, as well as those with dementia, might need help responding and getting to a shelter. People with dementia should be registered in the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-May-2006 00:29:07