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Dealing with Hurricanes - FAQs:

What can I do to prevent illness after a hurricane or other natural disaster?

Often the most vulnerable time during a natural disaster comes after the event has occurred. To protect yourself and your loved ones, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you begin with a plan to recover that takes into account each of the following disease prevention activities:

  1. Protect yourself from animal- and insect-related hazards
  2. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
  3. Clean up safely after flooding
  4. Keep your food and drinking water safe
  5. Prevent the spread of infectious diseases
  6. Make sure immunizations are up-to-date
  7. Protect your mental health
  8. Prevent temperature-related illnesses
  9. Prevent or treat wounds
  10. Don't forget to care for on-going health conditions

 


My family is in shock, feeling grief and anger because of a disaster. How do we handle emotional trauma and upset?

Traumatic events are marked by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. Traumatic events affect survivors, rescue workers, and the friends and relatives of victims who have been involved. They may also have an impact on people who have seen the event either firsthand or on television.

A person's response varies, but you may see different emotional, physical, and behavioral ways of coping. To learn about the signs and symptoms and how you can help, you may want to visit the following sites:

Coping:

  • Coping With a Traumatic Event (CDC)
    This site provides general information about traumatic events and describes how people typically respond during a disaster. Information is also provided about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how you can help yourself and others.

      
  • Coping with Disasters (MedlinePlus)
    This library site provides links to HHS and external organizations with resources for coping with disasters.
    •  

Tips:

Mental Health Resources:

  • Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event (CDC)
    Provides information and resources for disaster responders, health professionals, States and Planners. Educational materials are made available for use by professionals.

     
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (NIH/NIMH)
    Research materials and resources are provided for professionals dealing with people suffering after a disaster.
     

Where can I find emergency information for Health and Safety Professionals?

Links to emergency information for Health and Safety Professionals is listed below.

If you are a member of the general public…

If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological, chemical or radiological agent, or if you believe an intentional threat will occur or is occurring, please call 911.

If you have a health-related question that is not an emergency, please contact CDC.

If you are a health professional or government official…

CDC maintains a 24/7 Emergency Operations Center to assist local, state, and federal agencies. We also assist healthcare providers with questions on emergency patient care.
NOTE: this line is not intended for the general public.

All other questions for CDC

Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov. (For TTY, call 1-888-232-6348.)

Other important contacts

  • State and Local Health Departments
  • Regional Poison Control Centers:
    1-800-222-1222
  • CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response:
    404-639-7405
  • CDC Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response:
    404-639-0385 
  • CDC National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
    770-488-7100

General

Technical Assistance: Child Care

Worker Safety

Drugs and Medical Devices


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