Hurricanes & COVID-19: Be Prepared & Safe

From the City of Coral Gables:

August 19, 2020

Hurricane season is still with us and planning for a storm may be more stressful than ever this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Take the time now to prepare for severe storms while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe during hurricane season this year:

• Understand that your planning may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• Give yourself more time than usual to prepare your emergency food, water, and medicine supplies. Home delivery is the safest choice for buying disaster supplies. However, that may not be an option for everyone. If in-person shopping is your only choice, take steps to protect yourself and others when running essential errands and remember to maintain social distance at all times.
• Protect yourself and others when filling prescriptions by limiting in-person visits to the pharmacy. Sign up for mail order delivery or call in your prescription ahead of time and use drive-through windows or curbside pickup, if available.
• Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters, including shelters for your pets.
• When you check on neighbors and friends, be sure to stay at least 6 feet from others and maintain the recommended social distancing.
• Check on your elderly neighbors and – from a 6 feet distance – see if they need assistance in preparing for hurricane season.

This press release was produced by the City of Coral Gables. The views expressed here are the author’s own.