By: Maria Burns

With hurricane season officially beginning, it is crucial to prepare for the effects and damages hurricanes can cause. Having a plan in place will help ease some of the anxiety and stress these emergencies can form.

From your children to your pets, making an emergency plan that includes everyone is vital. Be proactive by knowing your evacuation zone, having all your essential documents updated, and ensuring your supplies are gathered with easy access. In addition to having an emergency go-bag, those who live on the coast understand the value of strengthening their home to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. Renovating your home is another important part of your long-term emergency plan.

One of the most important aspects of a plan is keeping up to date on hurricane alerts and weather. A great resource to keep up to date on is The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The organization provides a number of services, including an annual forecast of the hurricane season, tips and best practices for what to do if you find yourself in a hurricane situation and much more. The NOAA FAQ page is a great resource. 

The majority of our Krew is aware of the standards and requirements from previous COVID-19 deployments; however, hurricane deployments differ. In preparation for potential hurricane deployments, Krucial requires our reservists to complete FEMA 100, FEMA 200, and FEMA 700. These FEMA courses warrant our Krew is qualified and equipped to handle the mission with speed and quality. 

On top of the FEMA courses, we reached out to our Krew to ask for advice and tips for anyone interested in helping communities in need.

Here’s what they had to say:

Be Flexible

This was our most common recommendation. As with any emergency response, things can and likely will change quickly. Therefore, it is critical to remain alert, focused, and positive while out on deployment.

Stay Positive

Show support and kindness to the people you are helping. From losing their home and sentimental items, these people will not only be needing medical help, but a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen to their story. Be there for them in every way you possibly can.

Take Care of Yourself

To give your all to those around you, you first must make sure you have taken care of yourself. Getting enough sleep before the hurricane hits landfall will be advantageous. Ensuring you get enough sleep allows your body to rest and restore itself. On top of getting enough sleep, fueling your body with proper nutrients and protein is necessary. To avoid a lack of focus and energy loss, bring fueling snacks like protein and granola bars, dried fruit, and nuts.

Pack the Essentials

Packing for hurricanes effectively is key to having a safe deployment. Suggestions to have packed for deployment are flashlights, batteries, snacks, and bottled water.

At Krucial, we are always hoping for the best outcome but preparing for an incident that requires our assistance. Please do not take preparation for hurricane season lightly. We want everyone to be safe and have a plan in place. Are you prepared for hurricane season?

Interested in contributing to the Krucial Kollective? Send us an e-mail at marketing@krucialrr.org and let us know what you would like to write!