Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

Disaster plan for people with special needs

Every county in Southwest Florida has an emergency evacuation program that serves those who are homebound, frail or disabled. If you are in need of such services you must register with the county program each year. Regular shelters will not admit people with special needs.

People with special needs should contact their health providers about what their policy is regarding needs during an emergency or disaster.

Consider bringing the following items with you to the designated shelter or a friend’s home in time of emergency:

• A two-week supply of medications.

• Medical support equipment, such as a wheelchair, bandages, oxygen/feeding equipment.

• Food for special dietary needs.

• Name and phone number of your doctor, home health agency, hospital, and family.

•  Identification and other valuable  papers.

• Personal hygiene items, a change of clothing, lawn chair or cot, blanket or sleeping bag, pillow, battery-powered radio, spare batteries, flashlight, and non-electric can opener. 

•  Non-perishable food items, snacks, drinks and bottled water.

• Cash for purchases.

Persons with special needs should consider taking the following steps to be prepared for a disaster.

• Those with special needs must register with the county’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) each year. Click here for a list of Emergency Management Office phone numbers in our diocese.
• Contact your home health care service to learn their emergency procedures during times of disaster.
• Find the safest places in your home for each type of emergency.
• Learn how to turn off home electricity and water.
• Check with your particular county’s American Red Cross office, your landlord or builder regarding the probability of flooding in your area due to a hurricane. Land elevation is a critical factor affecting tidal surge or flooding.
• Plan and practice the best escape routes from your home in case of fire.
• Review actions to be taken in case there is an evacuation order. If you plan on leaving the area, do so at the earliest time to avoid traffic jams. Learn the location and practice the route to your designated shelter.
• Make sure that your car or truck is full of gas.
• Tack emergency telephone numbers near your telephone. Recharge your cellular phone and radio batteries.
• Obtain or prepare an emergency preparedness kit.

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