Hurricane Evacuation Information for Autism Families

Managing Editor's Note: I sent out an email asking members of the autism community to share tips and resources for families in the path of Hurricane Gustav.  If you're with an agency, please email me at KimStagliano@gmail.com with any info you'd like to share with your community. I'll add it to this post. Readers, please feel free to add more information in our comments section. To our readers in The Gulf of Mexico region, we're thinking of you.  Kim

Update: I just got this from Scott Greeson, Training Officer /Assistant Director - OEP/Homeland Security Claiborne Parish Emergency 911: Our EOC is fully activated as others are throughout Louisiana.  My only recommendation is that they leave now.  From all reports traffic is moving well.  However, as the day progresses traffic will be slower when the evacuation becomes mandatory.  Also, all gas stations along the coast are recording out of fuel or low fuel supplies.  Those that are planning on leaving need to fill up ASAP while supplies last. If you need any type of information I will be checking my personal email account when time allows.  One further note, if people are unsure where to go there are evacuation/shelter information points stationed at intervals on the major highways and state tourist stops.   

Reducing Stress as You Pack and Travel/Evacuate

___1. Select one backpack to pack all-important papers. Keep together all medical info, maps, emergency numbers and other info you may need while on the road. Place the medical prescriptions in this bag so they are easily attainable during a long evacuation ride.

___2. Use children's school backpacks to pack individual packs for the road for each of them. This makes their bag easily identifiable to them.

___3. In each child's bag pack a large Ziplock with snacks for the road. This gives them the independence and you're not fumbling for snacks during the trip. Be sure to pack comfort snacks and healthy ones as well. Choose things like pretzels and baked chips, as well as carrots and pre-sealed fruit cups. Pack spoons in each child's bag as well. Give them their own pack of wipes for their hands. Let them be as independent as possible to free you to watch the road during the evacuation.

___4. In each child's backpack, also pack items they like that will keep them busy for the trip. Include travel games, video games, CD players as well as books or other items that will keep them occupied. Let them each have their own things in their own bags for independence and reduced fighting among sibs.

___5. Pack board games to keep kids busy after you arrive at your destination. Don't pack the boxes. Place small parts and spinners in Ziplock bags. Put the boards at the bottom of the clothing suit cases and throw in the zip lock bags with the parts or have one tote bag with the bags with parts. This significantly reduces the amount of room it will take to pack the games.

___6. If possible consider bringing a portable DVD player, especially for smaller children or those with mobility and other issues who may not be able to play video games, etc. Before leaving, purchase a large book that holds DVDs and place all the child's DVDs in the book and ditch the boxes. Keep the book up front with you and not in the back with suitcases.

___7. If children are too young to manage their own backpacks with snacks and entertainment items, still pack that bag specifically for them. That way you won't be shuffling around in 50 other bags for this item or that while they are crying or upset.

___8. Make sure children have at least 2 "comfort items" with them in the car as you leave.

___10. Consider bringing a potty-chair for young children whom are potty training.

Destressing Evacuations...

Ease children's stress by giving them specific tasks to "help" in the packing process. Don't worry about how long it takes them.

Play relaxing music and stay calm. Children will take their cue from you.
Practice deep breathing while you are working to pack and secure the house.
Don't leave televisions running with constant weather and news on the evacuation.  Track updates come out every 4 hours from 7:00am around the clock. Check the track and turn it off if you already have you plan and know what to do in your area.  Continual reminders only heighten tension.
Turn on television for updates in a room away from children to check the latest information so as not to heighten their anxiety.
Consider leaving during the night when traffic is low and children are asleep.
Create an emergency phone list with cell phone numbers and all the other numbers noted above.

Take and Go Emergency Book

This is an Emergency Preparedness Book put together by the DD Council in Louisiana. Click HERE to print your own book.

MISSISSIPPI

For information on disaster preparedness, please visit www.fema.gov.

For information on Mississippi disaster preparedness, evacuations, and donations, please visit www.msema.org.

For information on volunteers and donations in Mississippi, please visit www.mcvs.org
2-1-1 (www.211ms.com), the state's emergency hotline, will be dedicated to running the hurricane recovery effort. 2-1-1 will have information on processing large donations, volunteering, and shelter information.

MISSISSIPPI VOAD:  Please share this information with anyone you feel should receive it:
Current indications show Gustav making landfall in our region around 2 pm on Monday, September 1.  Winds should begin around 4 AM Monday.  Gustav is predicted to make landfall as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane (Katrina was a category 3).

Bus evacuations are currently being planned thought the MS Dept. of Transportation and the MS Department of Education as well as mandatory evacuations for Saturday, August 30. National Guard will be assisting with the evacuation plans.  If you have residents who need to be added to the bus evacuation list, please have them contact their local County Emergency Management Office.  Numbers are:  Harrison County: 228-896-8080; Hancock County: 228-466-8320; and Jackson County: 228-769-3111.

If you currently have volunteers on the ground along the coast, please urge these volunteers to pack up and evacuate Friday, August 29.
PLEASE MAKE ALL NECESSARY PREPARATIONS FOR THIS STORM.  If VOAD can be of assistance to you, please call on me.  I will continue to forward information as I receive it.  Thanks.
Jay Huffstatler, Project Manager
Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund
MDA LTWH Coming Home Collaborative

Mississippi Emergency Numbers

MDOT.1-866-521-MDOT (1-866-521-6368).. .  .  .  .  www.GoMDOT.com & www.MSTraffic.com
American Red Cross . 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636).. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.redcross.org
MEMA . 1-800-222-MEMA (1-800-222-6362).. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  www.msema.org
FEMA. .  .  .  .  .  .  . 1-866-877-6075.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  www.fema.org
MS Hwy. Safety Patrol . 601-987-1212 (*hpfrom any cell).. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  www.dps.state.ms.us
Lodging (Mississippi Tourism). 1-866-SEE-MISS (1-866-733-6477) .. .  .  .  .  .  . www.visitmississippi.org
Campsites (MS Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks) . 1-800-GO-PARKS (1-800-467-2757) .. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.mdwfp.com
Animal Shelters (MS Board of Animal Health). . 1-888-722-3106.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.mbah.state.ms.us
Louisiana DOTD. .  . 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683). .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  www.dotd.state.la.us
Louisiana State Police . .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 1-800-469-4828.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.lsp.org
Alabama DOT. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 1-334-242-6358.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.dot.state.al.us
MS Division of Medicaid . .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .1-800-421-2408.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . www.dom.state.ms.us
MS Insurance Department . 1-800-562-2957.. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  www.doi.state.ms.us

Comments

[Lea Sullivan]

The organization Autism Cares is a great resource for families experiencing crisis situations. They are accepting cash donations that are disbursed to families in need. Famiy grants are available to families that qualify via an application online. They are also a resource for information.

[Lisa]

11 Points to Preparedness for Evacuation
from http://www.flylady.net

1. PEOPLE: Have a plan for getting out of the house and make sure everyone knows it. Have an emergency bag of food and water for your family. Include wholesome snacks and treats for the children: dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers and granola bars.

2. PETS: Keep pet carriers and leashes readily available to lead pets to safety. Also take pet food with you.

3. PICTURES: Keep negatives or CDs of pictures in a lock box or at a family member's home. Have picture albums in one place ready to grab and go at a moments notice.

4. PAPERS: Have all your important papers in a lock box at a bank and only keep copies at the house. This keeps you from panicking. If you have them at home then put them in a folder that you can easily grab if you have to move fast. Color code it so you can find it!

5. PRESCRIPTIONS: Take your medications with you. Don't forget the ones that have to be refrigerated like insulin. Have small ice chest and cold packs readily accessible to pack and go. If you have babies; remember their formula or medications.

6. PURSES and PETRO: This is where you keep your identification, credit cards and cash. Keep a stash of cash for emergencies and grab it. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage. Make sure your car always has a half a tank of gas.

7. PROPER CLOTHES and COMFORT ITEMS: According to the weather conditions; gather up a change of clothes along with outer clothing: coats, rain gear, boots, gloves and hats. If you have babies remember diapers. Remember to grab your children's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. A game or a deck of cards could keep them occupied and calm too.

8. PLANNER/CALENDAR/CONTROL JOURNAL: These documents have all the information you will need from phone numbers, insurance numbers and important dates. They are small and filled with things you don't have to try to remember.

9. PERSONAL PROTECTION: Many of us still have that time of the month. Be sure and grab a box of your preferred protection. It may be hard to find if you have been evacuated. Stress can cause our bodies to do strange things too. So be prepared. Take medication for cramps too.

10. PHONES and RADIOS: Many of us have cell phones now. Always keep them charged up and have a charger in the car or an extra battery. They may not work in the event of power outages, but then they might. Know which local radio station has emergency bulletins. Keep your battery powered radio tuned to that local station and have plenty of batteries for it.

11. PATIENCE: This is one of the most important things to pack. Keep it inside of you so that you have a clear calm head. Having your P's to Preparedness list guiding you will keep you patient. In the event of an evacuation there will be lots of displaced people. Being patient will make things less stressful. Your children need to see you calm and collected. This will help keep them calm too.

We can FLY in the face of Danger and Emergency if we are prepared. Don't wait till you are being asked to evacuate. Everyone thinks that it could not happen to them. Well it could and it is up to you to make sure you are prepared. Don't wait! DO IT NOW!!

-- FlyLady