New approaches required
The coronavirus has added extra challenges for FEMA and Florida’s emergency managers in planning this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins next Monday. How to evacuate and exactly where to shelter while still practicing social distancing are among many questions they’ve had to consider. FEMA is out with official guidance and we also have tips to pass along on how to help homeowners optimize their insurance this storm season.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz
Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz in recent comments said his team has had to redevelop plans for evacuation and shelters, and add facemasks to the list of emergency supplies. Instead of mass evacuations, officials may consider the types of homes that get evacuated instead. Those built after the 2002 update in the state building code may very well be advised to shelter in place, depending on the predicted strength of the pending storm.
Those evacuating may be directed to take cars or Ubers, rather than busses. Big community shelters may be fine if you pass the temperature check, but for others, especially the elderly and others especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, may be assigned individual motel rooms instead. And if emergency officials can’t find the usual volunteers to help, they say they may have to hire them. The state expects to have 10 million masks in reserve by June.
Moskowitz said he’s found a real partner in FEMA, which last week released its COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season. It is an excellent tool aimed at state and local governments but there is guidance in it for the private sector as well. I would pay particular attention to Appendix C which focuses on safety and security; food, water, shelter; health and medical; energy (power and fuel); communications and transportation. While the guide focuses on FEMA’s program delivery during the hurricane season, most planning considerations can be applied to any disaster operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including no-notice incidents.
Click Image for Printable Version
A few other items to share:
- With one tropical storm already under our belt this year, add NOAA to the list of experts upping the hurricane season forecast to “above average”.
- Back by popular demand is my shareable “Lisa’s Lucky 7 Hurricane Season Prep” guide, with tips on how to make sure you’re doing the right things right now to protect yourself, your family, and your property. You can click the image at right or here for a printable version.
- To help, the state of Florida is holding its annual sales tax holiday for purchases of hurricane supplies, including portable generators priced at $750 or less. It runs from this Friday, May 29 through June 4.
- Our colleague Roger Grenier with AIR Worldwide is out with some very thoughtful tips on How to Help Homeowners Optimize Their Insurance for Hurricane Season. At the top of his list: crucial agent-consumer education!
Thank you for your constant notes of encouragement and connection to my colleagues and me in the disaster insurance and recovery space. We will no doubt see each other soon.
LMA Newsletter of 5-26-20
