Harris County Texas Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Prepare Your Health for a Disaster

Disasters can have a negative effect on your health. Things like storms and flooding can affect air quality and cause mold, both of which can make it hard to breathe and irritate your lungs. Walking around in storm water can cause rashes and infections because it can have sewer water and human waste.

Extreme weather is stressful. Dealing with a damaged house or car can increase your stress levels, and having to evacuate can affect how you feel, your mood and thoughts, and raise your anxiety levels.

There are a number of things you can do BEFORE a disaster in order to make sure you protect your health during these times.

Make a plan to take care of any medical needs you may have with your family, friends, and anyone else that provides you with help. Speak with your health provider and pharmacist to ensure you have enough medication for a few days.

If you need dialysis, oxygen, etc., talk to your provider and/or insurance to ask about how you would get these services in an emergency.

Sign up with STEAR (online) or call 2-1-1 if you might need help with evacuation.

When you pack your “go bag” – the things you need to take with you if you have to leave – make sure you pack a five-day supply of any necessary medication you usually use.

When you get a new prescription – glasses, medications, etc. – take a picture or make an electronic copy, and email it to yourself or store it in the cloud. That way you can get your prescriptions if you need them.

Have an electronic copy of any doctor’s numbers and insurance information (like policy numbers and agency contact numbers), so that you can contact them and access medical records if you need to.

Have a plan for your pet. Have electronic copies of any medications and doctor’s numbers. Make sure they also have enough water, food, and medication for five days.