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Natural Disasters and COVID-19: Preparedness Information for Specific Groups

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Diverse group of people of all ages

With physical distancing and other preventive actions taking place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, preparing for hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters might look a little different this year. For example, you might find that it is harder or takes longer to get certain medications and supplies that you will need to have in your emergency preparedness kits.

If you live in an area that tends to be impacted by hurricanes or severe weather events, it is important to start planning early. If you are someone who has specific needs (including durable medical equipment, medicines, or medical care) or may have trouble gaining access to services, it is especially important to take extra steps to prepare for your needs during and after a natural disaster.

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Children

Children have unique physiological, developmental, and social-emotional needs during public health emergencies, such as natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes) and infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., influenza, COVID-19). Young children rely on adults for their protection and may not understand what to do to keep themselves safe. Older children and teenagers may need to keep up with schoolwork while sheltering away from home. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender youth may feel especially stressed when sheltering with others who might not accept or understand them. Most children will feel stress and worry when facing uncertainty or sudden changes to their daily routine. When multiple public health emergencies happen at the same time, like a hurricane or other severe weather event during the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for children’s needs is even more important.

Take steps to protect yourself and your family:

Preparing for emergencies is particularly important for families of children with special health care needs. These children may also be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or may need extra precautions.

Additional Information and Resources:

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Pregnant People, Postpartum People, and Infants

A first aid kit, house facing flooding, a mother putting her baby to sleep, a forest fire, a hurricane, a cell phone, a contacts book, a doctor, and a heart rate.

Learn more about reproductive health in emergency preparedness and response

Natural disasters and public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can make it harder to gain access to medical services. Based on what we know at this time, pregnant people are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. Infants may encounter additional risks during emergencies because their immune systems are still developing and they are dependent on parents, guardians, and caregivers.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a newborn, you can follow these tips to help you stay safe before, during, and after a natural disaster:

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. You may want to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to help you decide.
  • If you would like to speak to someone about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, please contact MotherToBaby. MotherToBaby experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish by phone or chat. The free and confidential service is available Monday–Friday 8am–5pm (local time). To reach MotherToBaby: Call 1-866-626-6847, or chat live or send an email MotherToBaby
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself from COVID-19 while preparing for a hurricane this season.
  • Learn how to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19. Take steps to prevent getting COVID-19.
  • Prepare an emergency kit that includes at least a 3-day supply of food and water for each person, health supplies including medications, baby care and safety supplies, electronics, and important documents, such as emergency telephone numbers. If possible, try to store a 2-week supply of water.
  • Be sure your emergency kit includes supplies for reducing the spread of COVID-19, including disinfectant wipes and spray, bar or liquid soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, at least two masks per person aged 2 or older.
  • If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about how to get prenatal care or deliver your baby if your doctor’s office or hospital is closed due to a natural disaster. Learn the signs of labor, including the signs of early labor.
  • If you have a baby, take these actions to help them sleep safely. Your baby is safest sleeping on their back for all sleep times in their own sleep area (such as a portable crib or bassinet) that does not have pillows, blankets, or toys.
  • If you breastfeed your baby, continue to do so. Breastfeeding remains the best infant feeding option in a natural disaster situation. For formula-fed infants, use ready-to-feed formula if possible.

Additional Information and Resources:

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People

Regardless of how you identify, it’s always important to plan for possible hurricanes and other natural disasters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to plan ahead as public health and social services may be more limited than usual.

Here are some things you can do to help prepare:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. COVID-19 vaccines help protect you from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and may also help protect people around you.
  • Make sure you have a safe place to go during the storm, whether that is with a welcoming family member, friend, or at a public shelter. Keep in mind your specific health needs as well as the need to protect yourself against COVID-19 when deciding where to shelter.
  • Develop a disaster plan, and create a Hurricane Preparedness “go kit” that includes personal items, disinfectant wipes and spray, bar or liquid soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and multiple clean masks for everyone age 2 or older. Masks should have two or more layers and fit snugly against your face. In addition, the National Center for Transgender Equality recommends for transgender persons Other Things You May Need in your “go kit.”
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself from COVID-19 while preparing for a hurricane this season.
  • If you need to go to a disaster shelter, follow CDC recommendations for staying safe and healthy in a public disaster shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you identify as transgender, print or download to a mobile device, and bring with you to the shelter, the Emergency Contact Information for Trans Discrimination in Relief Shelters & Services. This information can help you if you experience discrimination while receiving emergency services or sheltering.
  • Take steps to protect yourself and others while you are away from your home. Wearing a mask is especially important when social distancing is difficult.
  • In addition to the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, know that you can reach out to LGBTQ+ crisis support services such as The Trevor Project’s Lifeline, 1-866-488-7386, and the LGBT National Help Center hotline, 888-843-4564. You may want to print out and keep these numbers handy in case you do not have Internet access after a disaster.

Additional Information and Resources:

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Older Adults

If you are an older adult, you may need to take some extra steps this hurricane season to minimize risks from COVID-19 and make sure you have everything you need to stay safe during and after the storm. If you rely on support services, such as help from caregivers or in-home health care and meal delivery services, know that these might be unavailable for some time during and after the storm. Additionally, if you or someone you care for suffers from a cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, additional planning may be required.

Before a hurricane or other severe weather event, you may need to leave your home to stay with friends or family or go to a shelter. Sheltering may be more complicated during COVID-19.

Some things to keep in mind if you or a loved one are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and need to evacuate because of severe weather include:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. COVID-19 vaccines help protect you from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and may also help protect people around you.
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself from COVID-19 while preparing for a hurricane this season.
  • Develop a disaster plan, and create a Hurricane Preparedness “go kit” that includes personal items, including chargers or batteries for hearing aids and other medical equipment, disinfectant wipes and spray, bar or liquid soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, multiple, clean masks for everyone age 2 or older. Masks should have two or more layers and fit snugly against your face. If you take prescription medicine, talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about getting extra medication in case pharmacies are closed.
  • Take steps to protect yourself and others while you are away from your home. Wearing a mask is especially important when social distancing is difficult.
  • If you are staying in a shelter or in close quarters with people who do not usually live in your household, consider creating family groups, or pods, and limit interactions with people who are not part of your pod.
  • If you are dependent on electricity for medical devices or have special medical needs, contact your local health department to see if they offer special needs shelters or medical shelters in your area. Also consider signing up for SMART911, Code Red, or your local county registry, depending upon which service your area uses to helps first responders identify people who may need assistance right away.
  • If you need help with meals, transportation, or other services, contact your local area agency on aging.
  • Create a care plan and keep a copy in your Emergency Supply Kit. Try out CDC’s easy-to-use care plan template [PDF – 1.48 MB].
  • If you are a family member of an older adult living in a nursing home, contact the nursing home management to ask how their emergency management plan addresses the specific needs (e.g., medical, mobility) of your loved in the context of both COVID-19 and a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Additional Information and Resources:

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People with Chronic Diseases

During natural disasters and other emergencies, people with chronic diseases can face special health challenges. If you have a chronic disease and are concerned about being able to maintain your health during a hurricane or other natural disaster, speak with your health care providers and pharmacists about potential options. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health center or health department.

Here are some additional actions you can take to help you and your loved ones prepare for a natural disaster and reduce your risk of illness or serious health complications during or following a disaster:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.  COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to most people with  underlying medical conditions. If you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you should talk to your healthcare providers for advice.
  • Ask your doctor if you can get a 30-day (or longer) emergency prescription refill. Some states permit coverage for advanced refills of prescription medication during an emergency, but laws vary by state. Learn more about Emergency Prescription Laws in your state.
  • Develop a disaster plan, and create an emergency “go kit” that includes personal items, disinfectant wipes and spray, bar or liquid soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and multiple, clean masks for everyone age 2 or older. Masks should have two or more layers and fit snugly against your face. Children under 2 should not wear masks. You can also include medications and medical supplies.
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself from COVID-19 while preparing for a hurricane this season.
  • Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying medical condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have plans in place to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care. Also, do not avoid seeking shelter with friends or relatives or at a disaster shelter, if needed. Emergency managers, shelter managers, and public health professionals are taking measures to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 among people who seek safety in a disaster shelter during severe weather events. Follow CDC recommendations to help you shelter safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you go to a group shelter, tell the shelter staff if you have any medical needs, including medicines that need to be refrigerated.
  • Take steps to protect yourself and others while you are away from your home. Wearing a mask is especially important when social distancing is difficult.
  • Keep medicines, supplies, and equipment out of the heat and in a safe and waterproof location. If you use medical equipment that works with electricity, learn how to prepare and handle power outages [PDF – 5.11 MB].
  • If you are dependent on electricity for medical devices or have special medical needs, contact your local health department to see if they offer special needs or medical shelters in your area. Also consider signing up for SMART911, Code Red, or your local county registry, depending upon which service your area uses to help first responders identify people who may need assistance right away.
  • The Department of Health and Human Service’s Emergency Prescription Assistance Program may be activated after a disaster. It is a free service that helps residents get medicine, medical supplies, medical equipment and vaccines that were lost, stolen, or damaged due to the disaster. If you were affected by a federally-identified disaster, call 855-793-7470 to enroll or visit PHE.gov/EPAP.
  • If you are living with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, or kidney disease, please see the following disease-specific disaster information.

Additional Information and Resources:

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People with Disabilities

If you have a disability, there are steps you can take to prepare for a hurricane during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Additional Information and Resources:

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People with Mental Health Disorders

People with mental health disorders may react more strongly to public health emergencies, like hurricanes, wildfires, and COVID-19. The stress from needing to evacuate from your home or practice social distancing can trigger negative thoughts and feelings that can make mental disorders worse.

It is very important that people who are receiving treatment (e.g., therapy, medication) continue their treatment plans during an emergency and monitor for any new symptoms. In-person treatment may be an option during COVID-19 if everyday preventive actions like physical distancing and wearing a mask are used. Individual and group therapies may be done by phone or using video conferencing.

If emergency professionals say that the area you live in may be at risk for severe weather or other natural disasters, talk with your health care or mental health care provider about any concerns you might have.

Planning ahead can help you feel more prepared for emergencies. Here are some things you can do:

People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans during an emergency and monitor for any new symptoms. Additional information is available at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.

Get immediate help in a crisis

  • Call 911
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish). Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.

Additional Information and Resources:

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Infographic: Be Ready! Hurricanes Ready: Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed. Social Media at CDC Emergency