Hurricane Season is

June 1st – November 30th

Preparing You and Your Family for a Disaster – Pregnancy Plan

Pregnant women are more vulnerable during a disaster. Be prepared.  Seek prenatal care, even if it’s not with your regular doctor. This is very important!

Be Prepared: Pregnant women and families with small children need to take additional precautions during hurricane season. Create a family communication plan! Make sure everyone in your immediate family knows what your plan is. 

Download this form: Pregnancy Disaster Card

and discuss it with your physician.

• Family Communication Plan – Fill in this information and keep a copy in a safe place. Keep it up to date!
• Let’s Get Ready! – Sesame Workshop that provides tips, activities, and other easy tools to help the whole family prepare for emergencies!
• Be a Hero – Kids can help make a plan, build a kit, and get involved with planning.

Be Prepared: If you are pregnant during hurricane season, it’s very important to realize that you may deliver at an alternate hospital or birthing facility. Think about where you would deliver at in the event of road closures or in the event that you are instructed to evacuate, especially if you’re close to your delivery date. 

• Have a copy of your most up-to-date prenatal records.
• Keep a copy of your immunizations, and the immunization records of your children with you.
• Have the names and numbers of physicians or hospitals at your planned evacuation location.

Be Prepared: During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.

Personal Care Products Important to Have

Make sure your supplies are stored together in a place that’s easy to reach.

• Hand sanitizer
• Wet cleaning cloths (like baby wipes) in case you don’t have clean water
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Sanitary pads
• Diapers

 During a Hurricane:

If a hurricane is likely in your area

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency.

You should evacuate under the following conditions

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure – such shelter are particularly hazardous during hurricane no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building – hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway.

Infant Nutrition During a Disaster:

In an emergency

 Infant Nutrition During a Disaster

The safest food for an infant is breastmilkThere may not be clean drinking water.

• It may be impossible to ensure sterilization of feeding utensils.
• Breastmilk is readily available.
• Breastmilk protects against infections diseases, especially diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.

Disadvantages of formula use during a disaster

• It may not be available.
• It may be contaminated.
• There may not be a method to sterilize the bottles or nipples

After a Hurricane:

After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier.

Register Yourself as “Safe and Well” with the American Red Cross
Click on the “List Myself as Safe and Well” button to register yourself on the site.

 Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support.

Call 1-800-985-5990

Coping with a Traumatic Event

Preventing Violence After a Natural Disaster

For More Information:

 Make a Plan

American Academy of Pediatrics Flyer

Make a Kit

Managing Water

Information for Pet Owners

Until my next delivery ❤