JACKSON, MISS– Mississippi Emergency Management officials are taking this week to get you prepared for hurricane season, which kicks off June 1.
“Know if you’re evacuating, where you’re going, and how to get there,” says Greg Flynn with MEMA, “a public shelter should be a last resort, if there are other options.”
Flynn says a public shelter is usually cots and supplies set up in a gym or church fellowship hall, and isn’t at all as comfortable as staying with friends or family. Flynn says careful planning before the storm can keep you in shape during and after disaster strikes.
“Put a little money aside, if you can, for a hotel room,” says Flynn, “if that’s not possible, make contact with friends or family in the northern part of the state and see if you can stay there.”
Flynn says not everyone will have those options. If you have to be in a shelter, Flynn recommends a few comforts from home, like an air mattress or sleeping bag.
“Certainly bring your own pillow,” says Flynn, “or a sleeping bag or blankets to make your cot a little more comfortable. Anything from home, being creatures of comfort, like that is fine to bring.”
And weather you’re evacuating to family’s house or a shelter, Flynn says to make sure you have all your important documents either on a thumb drive, or hard copies made in waterproof bags in case you can’t get home, or your home has been destroyed.
“Bring your medications,” says Flynn, “Medications are vital and it is much harder to have prescriptions filled if you’re away from home.”
News Mississippi spoke with Flynn on Monday about why you should always be prepared for hurricane season. You can find that article by clicking here.
Part three, Preparing for Disaster at Home, will be released Thursday.
