The looming hurricane season has the US in a panic mode, now that the county has reported the highest number of Coronavirus cases in the whole world. The government of Florida together with civilians is getting ready to face the harsh reality of the 2020 hurricane amid the global pandemic of Covid-19. Traditionally, the state emergency teams use a prospective program for natural calamities. However, this year’s hurricane preparations are quite unpredictable given that the outbreak of Coronavirus is a huge menace to Floridians. This unpredictability has got everyone anticipating the worst-case scenario, with the biggest question being whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in a position to act as needed.
Hurricane Evacuations Vis-à-vis Coronavirus Social Distancing
The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to commence on the 1st day of June and peak around August or September. If the global pandemic drags on into this season, then Florida must brace itself for a surge of emergencies.
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Already, a state emergency shelter plan has been publicized. Thirty-nine counties in Florida are said to enough capacity for shelter but since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging social distancing, these spaces might not be enough.
Hurricane preps for 2020 in Florida are materializing and the state officials are creating plans bearing in mind that the full impact of Covid-19 is still unknown. Hospitals and treatment supplies are already stretched too thin while social distance regulations may extend beyond the months of May and June. The unprecedented situation poses a lot of dilemmas like how to save Covid-19 patients from the hurricane. As far as quarantine facilities are concerned, it is not clear how to use schools to separate the populations.
The biggest concern is where to find shelters that will allow the recommended social distance for mitigating the prevalence of Covid-19. If the shelters are opened well in advance, it might be easier to deal with the severe weather. But the biggest problem is how to move the vulnerable groups especially the senior citizens during these testing times. Floridians living is overpopulated areas are the other susceptible group. Since they have already been told to avoid close contact, it is feared that they might not come to the designated shelters when the hurricane comes.
In the event of a hurricane, power outages in Florida are inevitable and restoration may not be any time soon. This means cleanup taking longer than usual. Moreover, the out-of-state support that Florida receives may not be available this year. For example, the utility trucks and volunteers who stream from other states are unlikely to show up. This will call for requests for equipment and workers from the federal government.
The long-term recovery is also at stake. The supply chains are too pressed to tackle the double-tap of port disruptions not to mention the abrupt rise in demand for commodities from building materials to batteries. By the time the storm hits, leaders throughout Florida are expected to have found appropriate transport and virus-safe lodgings as the coastal refugees head inland.
What the Prediction Say and the Way Forward
The unfortunate scenario has prompted the federal government to issue guidelines on how to conduct evacuations should the storm arise. Warmer waters in the gulf are a sign that a stronger hurricane may fall this year and forecasters have predicted an above-average storm. According to scientists from Colorado State University, the Coronavirus pandemic could see eight hurricanes with an average of 6.4. Out of the eight, four will turn out to be the major averaging 2.7 and falling under Category 3.
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There is a big possibility for one storm making landfall so there is a need for the nation to get out of the Corona Virus peaks so they don’t coincide with the hurricane peaks. With the worrisome situation projected to extend in summer in Florida and other southern states, hospitalization is likely to extend as well. Apparently, most parks and shopping complexes have closed.
For this matter, the preparedness plan issued on the 8th of April for Broward County is a double-disaster strategy for the hurricane strike. Of course, everyone hopes that the hurricane doesn’t come ashore but it is important to assume that one is underway.
Planning for a big storm has never been an easy task. It requires planning for food, shelter, water, energy, and hurricane cleanup. Now, a worldwide outbreak is derailing the efforts to cope with the impending danger hence there is huge pressure on FEMA. The department forces have been called to take early actions.
Medical institutions should be ready for an increase in demand due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Already, time and resources are limited, making hurricane preparation a complicated endeavor. There is a need for strong and dedicated leadership at all levels.
Hurricane evacuees need a virus-safe environment and shelter planning may be the last resort because it doesn’t account for social distancing. Instead, the hotels should get ready to support coastal refugees fleeing from the tsunami. Testing kits for Covid-19 may be very necessary, in addition to isolation centers.
Is There Hope for Florida?
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, FEMA is gearing up a Crisis Counseling Program that has been approved in 30 states including Florida (where funding is being evaluated). This program will help people suffering from mental and psychological issues to cope with the torture created by Coronavirus. This is good news for senior citizens who are prone to post-traumatic disorders and anxiety. Emotional support will play a major role in their recovery from this disaster. Because of the need to protect everyone’s safety, people will receive crisis counseling via social media and mobile devices.
FEMA’s deputy regional administrator, Robert Samaan told WINK News that the organization is implementing telework that is in charge of enlightening the community on the need for social distancing and masks. Through proper logistics and coordination FEMA is ready for the hurricane. They are ensuring that emergency centers and logistic warehouses are packed with essential commodities: lifesaving supplies, water, and food. They are further urging people living in flood zones to be prepared in terms of finances and flood insurance. In the event of a big storm, FEMA is in a capacity to pool resources and respond as required. The message on emphasis is preparedness.
Possible Tactics to Prevent Further Spread of Corona Virus During the Hurricane
Florida is collaborating with national consulting firms to craft storm/Covid-19 policies that are geared towards preventing infections as Jared Moskowitz, the State Emergency Management Director told ABC Action News.
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The team of experts in charge of these protocols is putting into consideration occurrences that may never come to pass.
Basically, the new problem demands new dynamic solutions. Florida Hurricane Response Hub has put in place rules for the screening of the storm shelters to ensure that they are virus-free. In addition, specific quarantine sites are being set up for Coronavirus patients. Hotel spaces are available to those who will not access federal facilities to shelter in place. Each evacuee needs at least 6ft of space in the rescue areas. The state could use federal resources to hire hotels where the refugees can spread out to their separate rooms. Additional spaces in learning institutions could be of great help during this crisis. The other valid suggestion is transporting the evacuees via rideshare rather than metro transit.
Counties should also focus on temperature checks as well as mask requirements as people enter the federal emergency shelters. Nonetheless, the evacuation zones provided by the government should be the last resort. People have to try and find their own places away from the evacuation areas. For instance, a relative’s or friend’s home with a separate room would be a better idea. It is all about minimizing interactions and crowding. Those in flood zones must be aware of their evacuation zones and shop for essential supplies before the hurricane spike hits.
There’s a need for the federal government to give more generators that must be installed in the warehouses before the hurricane. As noted earlier, the level of volunteering will be very low this year and so Florida should have a way to accommodate the emergency. There will be a need to call for state employees, teachers, and youths that are unemployed to take on emergency jobs or volunteer. Training on social distancing, disinfection, masks, personal protective gear, and emergency supplies are all part of this contingency plan.
A Summary of The Impacts of Covid-19 on Florida’s Hurricane Season
A hurricane by itself is destructive. Almost 3,000 lives were lost during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. (10) If the country has seen such tragedies in the wake of a tsunami without a major health crisis, how about now?
Evacuating households before a storm hits is tough work. Doing it against the Corona Virus pandemic, which doesn’t seem to be ending soon, is even tougher. From the current reports, economic and physical activities are very uncertain. Surviving in a highly contagious disease is perturbing. Adding to the level of agony is the imminent hurricane.
The Coronavirus has a serious impact on the healthcare industry, triggering the question of who are the essential service providers. Front-line healthcare professionals are facing the most gruesome challenges as more patients are being admitted.
Some Floridians may run for safety in their personal cars. But it will be tricky for those who use public transport in this period of social distancing. The reason evacuation measures will be more daunting is that they’ll also involve the hospitals that are already overwhelmed by a daily influx or Corona patients. Hospital evacuation is extremely delicate due to the burden of a contagious virus.
Areas that are historically known to be safe such as New Orleans’ Superdome could turn into epicenters of Coronavirus if refugees are crammed inside during a hurricane. Like in quarantine, these places will need to keep everybody 6 feet apart, something that is a big challenge. No doubt, the disasters might compound on one another.
Again, families that will be turning to hotels and lodging are likely to pay higher costs because most facilities have been closed down thereby creating a high demand.
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Floridians must be on their toes before the storm comes, that is, they ought to be mobilizing resources if they want to avoid governmental shelters. Unfortunately, not so many people are employed at this time of crisis hence this may not be an option for many.
The worst thing about all this is that Corona Virus is not pausing to allow the storm to pass. The first responders will also risk catching the disease and spreading it further. Whereas, volunteers could give up in the process after realizing the risk is not worth it. With fewer volunteers showing up to the rescue, there will be a much bigger challenge of giving out or even receiving donations.
Providing Care for Senior Citizens
There is a huge concern for individuals who might not make it to leave their homes. These are the senior citizens, the most vulnerable group of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will need a special rescue strategy during and after the hurricane. An aged person cannot just pack their stuff and run. In fact, some can refuse due to the risk of contracting Covid-19.
Having a care plan for older adults is paramount. They need to shelter in place away from congregations and hospitals, particularly in the communities that have been hit hard by Covid-19. Often, older people get acute symptoms which may look like those of Coronavirus. Instead of visiting hospitals, they could be assisted by caregivers to manage such symptoms. It is time for family caregivers to improve their efforts in social distancing for the sake of their parents and grandparents. Many households have taken steps to reach out to home care providers as the virus spreads. The use of technology when interacting with pharmacies, doctors, grocery stores, and banks is of great help during this pandemic.
The recovery process will be hard to coordinate since the workers will be exposed to the Corona Virus. Construction workers will be facing unsafe conditions so the local emergency teams should prepare for these risks. However, these rescue missions are understaffed and underfunded so the current health concerns are too overwhelming.
Due to the unique demands, the emergency management departments could give stay-at-home orders rather than evacuating people from the hurricane path. Should evacuation be needed, Uber and similar services will come in handy. Hotels will be more preferred than official evacuation centers.