If the need
comes to evacuate before or during an emergency or disaster you will need to
find shelter.
Copyright:
konstantinks / 123RF
Stock Photo
Most
communities have facilities identified as emergency shelters. These facilities
are usually schools or other suitable publicly accessible buildings. Once
inside you will probably only have 10 square feet of space per person and your
possessions. Ten square feet is 1’x10’or 2’x5’.
Inside you
may find food, water, sanitation facilities, a cot, pillow and blanket. Or you
might not.
When
searching for shelters in your community, a call to the local Office of
Emergency Management (OEM) might produce a list of location that have been
identified within your community. If so, then it would be prudent to physically
locate them and learn the route or routes necessary to get to them if need be.
Keep in mind
that last year’s shelter might not be on the approved list this year. There can
be many reasons for this. Each shelter must meet a certification standard to be
acceptable.
These
standards are based on structural requirements for the facility based on their
occupancy load and duration of use.
Wind Loads
Windborne Debris Impact
Foundations and Floor Slabs
Or, how much
damage can the facility take before it fails.
Public
shelter design criteria for Florida can be downloaded here;
Other states
may have different criteria depending on the shelter needs of the community.
Traditionally
the American Red Cross is the organization that manages these facilities when
needed. A phone call to your local chapter may be beneficial for locating these
shelters.
Note; during
my personal research in various communities I have found that some agencies
will not disclose shelter locations prior to their need. This is usually
community specific.
Be aware
that pets probably will not be allowed within. If you have a service animal you
will need papers proving it.
You will be
housed with a large number of strangers and there will be the need for a
certain amount of cultural etiquette to remain in the shelter. The food will
meet minimum standards and the sanitation facilities will not be private.
If a public shelter is not your cup of tea, alternative sheltering may be necessary.
Shelter in place
Family/Friends outside of the affected area
Hotels/Motels outside of the affected area
Churches
Home Host Programs
Take a trip
down memory lane and Google “Katrina Shelter”. Take a look at what might be in
store for you if you live in a major metropolitan area and decide to wait until
it is too late to leave.
Call your
OEM and the ARC now to discover the facilities available and determine if you
want to be there. If not make alternate plans now.
Till Next
Time
“Be Safe”
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