Yale Tulane ESF-8 VMOC Special Report - Tropical Storm Karen 3 PM EDT - 5 OCT

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
FEMA
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Ready. Gov
HHS
Public Health Emergency – ASPR
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CDC
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SAMHSA Disaster Distress
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Team New Orleans
National Weather Service
National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service – Lake Charles
National Weather Service - New Orleans/Baton Rouge
National Weather Service – Mobile/Pensacola
National Weather Service - Tallahassee
STATES
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
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Louisiana Health and Hospitals
Louisiana National Guard
Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
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Mississippi Department of Health
ALABAMA
Alabama Emergency Management
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Alabama Department of Public Health
FLORIDA
Florida Division of Emergency Management
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Florida Department of Health
TRAVEL
FAA Flight Delays
AMTRAK Service Alerts
ORGANIZATION
American Red Cross
POTENTIAL TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WINDS
CURRENT SITUATION
YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT
TROPICAL STORM KAREN KEY LINKSMAPS
ACTIVE WATCH AND WARNING
POTENTIAL HEALTH
THREATS FROM HURRICANES
PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER DISATERS
72 HOUR RAINFALL FORECAST
PREPARATIONS
DECISION MATRIX
STORM SURGE
5 OCTOBER 2013
1500 EDT

CURRENT SITUATION
WHERE: North-Central Gulf Coast region of the Mexico
WHEN: Saturday Oct 5 evening through Oct 6.
SITUATION: TROICAL STORM KAREN
As of the 100 PM CDT advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Karen
was located near 27.9°N 91.8°W about 190 miles west-southwest
of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The low level center of Karan
remains exposed about 100 N miles to the west north-west of the
deep convection. Maximum sustained winds are currently at 40
mph.
The initial intensity of Karen remains 35KT. The environment
remains unfavorable for intensification and gradual weakening is
predicted.
Karen is presently stationery, but a motion towards the north is
expected to resume later this afternoon. Minimum central pressure
is currently 1009mb.
Karen is currently moving northward till Saturday night, but a turn
towards northeast is expected Saturday night; followed by a faster
motion towards the east-northeast Sunday night and Monday.
Karen should dissipate or be absorbed by a cold front shortly after
48hours.
TS WARNING: Morgan City Louisiana to the mouth of the Pearl
River
TS WATCH: Metro New Orleans; Lakes Maurepas & Pontchartrain;
East of the Mouth of the Pearl River to Indian Pass, Florida
WINDS:
• <39 mph over land and Lake Pontchartrain
• 39-73 mph near immediate coast and off shore
STORM SURGE:
• 1-3 feet Terrebonne Bay Louisiana to Cedar Key, Florida
• The highest water water will occur along the immediate
coast, where surge will be accompanied with dangerous
waves
RAIN: 1 – 3 in over central gulf & southeastern US; isolated 6
inches possible
SOURCE:
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
TS KAREN PUBLIC ADVISORY 5 OCT 2013

TS KAREN PREPARATIONS - LOUISIANA
• Governor declared a State of Emergency Oct 3
• GOHSEP - activated to Level III (Crisis Action Team)
• 650 National Guard personnel activated Oct 3 additional 7,000 on
standby
• Oct 3 Brief-- CPRA is coordinating with the Army Corps of
Engineers, as well as area levee and conservation districts, to
monitor rising water levels to determine appropriate times to
close flood and navigation gates on area waterways if necessary
• Preparatory actions underway; working with USACE & staging
assets
• Grand Isle, located on a barrier island, is under a state of
emergency. The mayor called for voluntary evacuations
FEMA DAILY OPERATIONS BRIEF – 4 OCT 2013
• Mandatory Evacuations in effect for 3,500 residents located in
Grand Isle (1,300), Jefferson Parish & the Plaquemines Parish East
Bank (2,200)
• Voluntary evacuations in effect for Plaquemines Parish West
• 3 shelters open with 82 occupants
• New Orleans says it's monitoring the storm and asks residents to
call 311 for preparation info
• Louisiana’s price gouging laws are in effect: prices must remain
the same as they were before unless the increase is to offset
reasonable extra costs incurred by the business because of the
state of emergency.
• The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals have closed
oyster harvest areas 1-23, which are located from Lake Borne in
St. Bernard Parish to Oyster Bayou in Terrebonne Parish, effective
on Friday, October 4, 2013.
LINKS
Louisiana Health and Hospitals
Department of Public Health
http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/subhome/
17/n/173
Louisiana Governor's Office
Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness
http://gohsep.la.gov/
Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/GOHSEP
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep/
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/gohsep
NOAA Weather Radio for LA
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/Maps/PHP/Louisian
a.php
National Weather Service Watches,
http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/la.php?x=1

TS KAREN PREPARATIONS - MISSISSIPPI
MSEMA – 4 OCT
• Traffic at the mouth of the Mississippi River stopped at 6 a.m.
Friday as coastal Louisiana prepares for a possible strike.
• A spokesman for the Port of New Orleans says cargo operations will
continue as scheduled Friday, despite the river's closure at
Southwest Pass. The Associated Branch Pilots, who guide ships
through the river's twists and turns, are shutting down at daybreak.
• MDOT moving equipment (front end loaders, bull dozers, etc.) to the
coast to stage them; immediately after the storm they can start
removing sand from U.S. Highway 90.
• Miss. Department of Humans Services county directors in the
potentially affected counties are working closely with local EMA
Directors and Red Cross to open and staff shelters as requested.
• American Red Cross staff is communicating with local emergency
managers and Department of Human Services to coordinate shelter
openings if needed. Volunteers, shelter teams, and 11 emergency
response vehicles have been placed on alert.
• Search and Rescue teams have been sent to support Jackson,
Harrison and Hancock counties.
• State Emergency Response Team has deployed to the Combat
Readiness Training Center in Gulfport.
• 300 Mississippi National Guard troops with high water vehicles have
been deployed to affected areas.
Mississippi Department of Public
Health
http://www.healthyms.com/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,0,122,2
92,html
Mississippi Emergency
Management Agency
http://www.msema.org/
Twitter http://twitter.com/msema
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Pearl-
MS/Mississippi-Emergency-Management-
Agency/81599105731?ref=sgm
NOAA Weather Radio for
Mississippi
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/Maps/PHP/Mississippi.php
Watches, Warnings and
Advisories
http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/ms.php?x=1
MS - LINKS
• State EOC is at Level I (Fully Activated)
• Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency
as Karen approaches the state on October 3. MEMA has asked
people in flood-prone areas to start thinking about a evacuation
plan.
• Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources said oyster reefs that had
opened earlier in the week were closed as a precaution.
• 1000 EST, MSEMA messages on social media: “Things are
looking good for Mississippi, but please don't let your guard
down yet.”
• Health department (MSDH) issues precautionary risk warnings
to population, in regards to assembly/evacuation, gas and
electricity infrastructure, and a notice to boil water if specific
area is notified.

TS KAREN PREPARATIONS
ALABAMA
• Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declares state of
emergency on 4 Oct.
• 200 National Guardsmen activated
• Mobile Ferry will not run Friday
• Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium will be closed Friday
• Organizers of the Bayfest music festival say the show will
go on as much as possible
FEMA DAILY BRIEF – 5 OCT 2013
THE WEATHER CHANNEL – 4 OCT 2013 6:11 PM EDT
FLORIDA
• Governor declared State of Emergency (Oct 4)
• State EOC is activated to Level II (Partial Activation)
• National Guard personnel activated
• Tropical Storm emergency declaration for 18 counties:
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes,
Washington, Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Franklin,
Liberty, Gadsden, Wakulla, Leon, Jefferson, Madison,
and Taylor Counties.
Alabama Department of Public
Health
http://www.healthyms.com/msdhsite/index.cfm/44,0,
122,292,html
Alabama Emergency Management http://www.ema.alabama.gov/
Twitter https://twitter.com/alabamaema
RSS Feeds: http://www.msema.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA
NOAA Weather Radio for Alabama http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/CntyCov/nwrAL.htm
Warnings and Advisories
http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/ms.php?x=1
AL - LINKS
Florida Department of Health
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/
Florida Division of Emergency
Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
Twitter https://twitter.com/flsert
RSS Feed http://floridadisaster.org/feeds/pressreleases.asp
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT
NOAA Weather Radio for Florida http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/CntyCov/nwrFL.htm
Warnings and Advisories
http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/fl.php?x=1
FL - LINKS

TS KAREN PREPARATIONS - FEMA
FEMA HEADQUARTERS:
• National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) -
activated to Level III (Day only)
• National Watch Center - Enhanced Watch Level (8:00
pm to 8:00 am EDT)
• Resource Support - Atlanta Distribution Center (DC)
has been activated
• National Processing Service Centers - activated from
7:00 a.m. to 1:00 am
• National IMAT-East - deploying to Florida EOC today
• Urban Search & Rescue - on Advisory status
NOAA
FEMA REGION IV:
• RRCC activated to Level III
w/ ESFs 1,3,5, 6,8
• Region IV IMATs –
deployed to AL & MS EOCs
• LNOs deployed to Florida,
Mississippi & Alabama
• Region IV IMATs deploying
to AL & MS today
FEMA REGION IV:
• RRCC activated to Level III
w/ ESFs 1,3,6,8
• LNOs deployed to Florida,
Mississippi & Alabama
• Region IV IMATs deploying
to AL & MS today

ACTIVE WATCH / WARNINGS
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Weather Statement
Civil Emergency Message
Blizzard Warning
Winter Storm Warning
High Wind Warning
Tropical Storm Warning
Flood Warning
Gale Warning
Freeze Warning
Red Flag Warning
Hurricane Watch
Tropical Storm Watch
Winter Weather Advisory
Coastal Flood Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory
Small Craft Advisory For HazardousSeas
Small Craft Advisory For Winds
Small Craft Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory
Blowing Dust Advisory
Frost Advisory
Rip Current Statement
Winter Storm Watch
Hard Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch
Fire Weather Watch
Special Weather Statement
Marine Weather Statement
Air Quality Alert
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hydrologic Outlook

ACTIVE WATCH / WARNINGS
Tropical Storm Warning
Coastal Flood Warning
Flood Warning
Tropical Storm Watch
Coastal Flood Advisory
Small Craft Advisory
Coastal Flood Statement
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Short Term Forecast
LAKE CHARLES BATON ROUGE/NEW ORLEANS
MOBILE/ PENSACOLA TALLAHASSEE

72 HOUR RAINFALL FORECAST
Image Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/144417.shtml?rainqpf?large#contents
• Karen is expected to
produce rainfall amounts of
1 to 3 inches over portions
of the Central and Eastern
gulf coast through Sunday
night, mainly near and to
the right of the path of the
center.
• Isolated storm total
amounts of 6 inches are
possible.

STORM SURGE
The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally
dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters.
The water could reach the following heights above ground if the
peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
• West of the Mississippi river to Terrebonne Bay
1 to 3 feet
• Mouth of the Mississippi River to Mobile Bay
1 to 3 feet
• East of Mobile Bay to West of Apalachee Bay
1 to 3 feet
• Apalachee Bay including Cedar Key
1 to 3 feet
The highest water will occur:
• Along the immediate coast near and to the east of
where landfall occurs.
• Where the surge will be accompanied by dangerous
waves .
Chances storm surge >= 2 ft.

POTENTIAL TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS
Information source: http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Tropical%20Storm%20Warning
Image source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/145003.shtml?tswind120
• Hurricane conditions are
possible in portions of the
hurricane watch area by
Sunday morning but
probability remains low
• Tropical storm conditions
will remain in storm watch
areas. Expect winds to
subside in speed by 5 knots
by midnight Saturday.
Winds will shift path from
Northeast to North by
midnight Sunday.

2
Decision Point 2: (TROPICAL STORM)
Prepare
24 hours to 12 hours prior to impact
Primary Activities:
Complete evacuation operations
Execute Shelter in Place activities
Complete early discharge activities
Harden facility through protective measures
Monitor facility and area conditions as impact occurs
Finalize staffing arrangement
Take appropriate actions to maintain operations
THREAT INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS CRITICAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
 What is the level of the threat?
 How large is the area projected to be impacted?
 How much of the populations are projected to
be impacted?
 Is the facility located in the impacted zone
 Has the facility been impacted?
 Have services been impacted?
 Which ones?
 To what degree?
 Are any of your remote facilities in the impacted
zone?
 Do any of your employees or staff live in the
impacted zone?
ACTIONS
COMMAND OPERATIONS PLANNING FACILITIES/LOGISTICS ADMIN/FINANCE
 Review all policies, plans and procedures to
ensure that they are current and reflect any
changes to the facility or infrastructure since
last season
 Review Shelter in Place and Evacuation
decision-making requirements
 Review various agreements with area
hospitals, agencies and vendors
 Ensure that the staff is familiar with the All
Hazards Plan
 Ensure that families have a care plan in case
of emergencies
 Conduct/review hazard vulnerability
assessment for each activity. Include
specific projects and research vulnerability.
 Prioritize resources for response and
recovery efforts based on cost-benefit
analysis.
 Monitor forecasted flood areas,
track current, impending, and
potential impact
 Begin movement to secondary
facilities for operational integrity
if severe flooding is imminent
 Synchronize activities with
appropriate local/regional/State
agencies
 Determine status and needs,
coordinate relief as necessary,
continue regular conference calls
 Test redundant communications
systems
 Implement facility physical
security plan
 Draft and maintain IAP for next
operational period
 Disseminate approved IAP
 Review all applicable plans
 Review gap analysis
 Review dormant contracts
 Identify requirements for
sheltering in place (SIP)
 Identify requirements for
evacuation
 Vertically
 People
 Specimens
 Primates
 Review MOUs, MOAs and Mutual
Aid Agreements
 Elevate the generator, furnace,
water heater, and electric panel
if susceptible to flooding.
 Inventory stockpiles to determine
(and augment) self-sustainability
when municipal systems are
inoperable
 Inspect Alternate Sites
 Review Regulated Medical Waste
disposal surge contract s and
processes
 Review Trash disposal/storage
plan
 Review mortuary plans
 Capture cost
 Ensure continuity of
current staff throughout
operational period

3
Primary Activities:
• Assess damages to the facility and injuries to employees and staff
• Maintain accountability
• Safety for employees and staff
• Make emergency repairs
• Take appropriate actions to maintain operations
• Evacuate if necessary
• Move to an alternate facility if necessary
• Information Dissemination
• Report status
Decision Point 3 (TROPICAL STORM)
Response
Impact +24 Hours
THREAT INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS CRITICAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
 Have/When will adverse conditions subside?
 How large was the impact?
 What are the cascading effects as a result of
the threat?
 What is forecasted for the next 24 hours?
 What additional information is being
provided by the local weather forecasters?
 Has criminal activities increased?
 What is status of your facility?
 What is the status of your remote facilities?
 What services have been impacted?
 What capabilities have been degraded?
 What is the status of your staff and their families? Are all accountable for? Any
fatalities?
 Has the disaster generated a mass casualty incident?
 What is the status of municipal utilities, water and waste water?
 What roads are closed due to the impact?
 What is the status of local emergency response agencies?
 Has NDMS been activated? If so, which portions
 Has the FEMA ambulance contract been activated?
 What information is being provided to the public?
 What is the status of airports being used for additional evacuations?
 What resources are available to assist your facility?
 What capability shortfalls are there?
 Has patient care been compromised?
ACTIONS
COMMAND OPERATIONS PLANNING FACILITIES/LOGISTICS ADMIN/FINANCE
 Assess the threat and the damage
 Determine the need to evacuate the facility,
continue Sheltering in Place
 Is an alternative care sites for patient treatment
needed?
 Is an effective patient ID and tracking system in
place?
 Contact and notify staff of the facility status,
operational capacity and timeline for return to work
 Contact higher headquarters with status and relay
needs
 Report situation to :
 Higher HQ
 Local government
 Health authorities
 Maintain staff and employee accountability
 Maintain full activation of the Command Center
 Approve the IAP for next operational period
 Maintain close coordination with departments and
address requirements
 Ensure Shelter in Place needs/provisions are in
place and being met
 Determine if it is necessary to evacuate the facility
completely
 Determine if it is necessary to close down
operations or limit services
 Contact staff to relay needs and operability
 Determine if it is necessary to move to some or all
services an alternate facility
 Conduct damage, risk and injury
assessments to determine
operational status and capacity of
the facility
 Coordinate search an d rescue
activities
 Establish triage areas if needed
 Synchronize activities with
appropriate local/regional/State
agencies
 Ensure EOC is fully operational at
current facility, if necessary
relocate or work remotely
 Determine operational status of
remote clinics
 Determine status and needs,
coordinate relief as necessary,
continue regular conference calls
 Implement redundant
communications as necessary
 Account for staff and employees
 Review staffing requirements
 Coordinate evacuation if
necessary
 Establish accountability methods
for patient counts & movements
 Issue needed risk communication
messages
 Identify critical objectives
based on the planning
requirement, provide a
complete and integrated
picture of the sequence and
scope of the tasks to achieve
the objectives, and ensure the
objectives are implementable
within the time frame
contemplated within the plan
using available resources for
prevention-related plans.
 Develop and execute
appropriate courses of action
in coordination with Federal,
state, local, and private sector
entities in order to prevent an
imminent terrorist attack
within the United States.
 Maintain an Incident Action
Plan (IAP) for next operational
period
 Disseminate approved IAP
 Assess the damage
 Prioritize and perform repairs
to the facility as necessary
 Monitor all departments and
portions of the facility, take
appropriate actions to harden
the facility and take any
protective measures to
prevent damages
 Conduct periodic inventory
checks to ensure there is
adequate supply for sustained
operation and allow plenty of
time to obtain additional
supplies if necessary.
 Coordinate needs and actions
through the Command Center
 Review staffing requirements
 Assess facility functionality,
determine operational
capacity and requirements for
repairs
 Monitor emergency systems
and determine fuel capacities
to inform sustainability
requirements
 Identify most urgent food &
non-food requirements
 Capture cost
 Ensure continuity of
current staff throughout
operational period
 Set up disaster
accounting systems
 Work with appointed
authorities to determine
applicant and
reimbursement eligibility
for disaster-related
expenses

PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER A DISASTER
 Avoid wild or stray animals and biting or stinging insects.
 Call local authorities to handle animals.
 Get rid of dead animals, according to local guidelines, as soon as you can.
 For more information, contact your local animal shelter or services, a veterinarian, or the
humane society for advice on dealing with pets or stray or wild animals after an emergency.
 For informationon specific animal and insect issues, see protect yourself from animal- and
insect-related hazards after a natural disaster.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ANIMAL - AND INSECT-RELATED
HAZARDS
PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
 Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you
breathe it. Never use generators, pressure washers, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane,
natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper—or even
outside near an open window, door, or vent.
 Don't heat your house with a gas oven.
 If you are too hot or too cold, or you need to prepare food, don't put yourself and your family at risk
for co poisoning—look to friends, family, or a community shelter for help.
 If your co detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.
 Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect co poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or
nauseated.
 For further guidance on avoiding co poisoning, see protect yourself from carbon monoxideCLEAN UP SAFELY AFTER FLOODS
 To prevent illness, disinfectand dry buildings and items in them. This will prevent growth of some bacteria, viruses,
mold, and mildew that can cause illness.
 For more information, see flood water after a disaster or emergency.
KEEP FOOD AND WATER SAFE
 Food may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency. Water may not be safe for cooking.
 Water may not be safe to drink, clean with, or bathe in after an emergency, such as a hurricane or
flood. During and after a disaster, water can become contaminated with microorganisms (for
example, bacteria), sewage, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that
can cause illness or death.
 Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if water is safe to drink or
to use for cooking or bathing. Follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect
water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing.
 For more information, see keep food and water safe after a natural disaster or power outage.
WASH YOUR HANDS
 Always wash your hands with soap and boiled or disinfected water before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities, and
after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage. Use warm water when available. Wash children's hands frequently (always before meals).
 Disinfect water for washing by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of
1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
 If water isn't available, use alcohol-based products made for washing hands.
 For more tips on washing your hands, see hand hygiene after a disaster.
PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH
 The days and weeks after an emergency are going to be rough. Some sleeplessness, anxiety, anger,
hyperactivity, mild depression, or lethargy are normal and may go away with time. If you feel any of
these symptoms acutely, seek counseling. Your state, local, tribal health departments will help you
find local resources, including hospitals or health care providers that you may need.
 Seek medical care if you are injured, feel sick, or have acute stress and anxiety.
 Keep as many elements of your normal routine incorporated into the disaster plans as possible,
including activities to calm children's fears.
 Be aware that you may have fewer resources to attend to your day-to-day conflicts, so it is best to
resolve what you can ahead of time.
 Turn to family, friends, and important social or religious contacts to setup support networks to deal
with the potential stressors.
 Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens. Encourage
your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making judgments.
 For additional resources, see disaster mental health resources and CDC Coping with a Disaster or
Traumatic Event

PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER A DISASTER
PREVENT ILLNESS FROM SEWAGE
PREVENT TEMPERATURE-RELATED ILLNESS
PREVENT OR TREAT WOUNDS
AVOID WILD OR STRAY ANIMALS
If there is flooding along with a hurricane, the waters may contain fecal material from
overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although skin contact
with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is risk of disease from
eating or drinking anything contaminated with floodwater.
If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and
waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard contaminated household materials
that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall.
If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to floodwater, keep them as clean
as possible by washing them with soap and applying an antibiotic ointment to discourage
infection.
Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent and
separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas and do not allow children to play with
floodwater-contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. Disinfect toys by using a
solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. Some toys, such as stuffed animals
and baby toys, cannot be disinfected; they should be discarded.
When standing or working in water that is cooler than 75 f (24°c):
Wear rubber boots.
Ensure that clothing and boots have adequate insulation.
Take frequent breaks out of the water.
Change into dry clothing when possible.
 Immediately clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Keep wounds covered
with clean, dry bandages that are large enough to cover the wound and contain any pus or
drainage.
 Change bandages as needed and when drainage can be seen through the bandage. Contact a
doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed (such as a tetanus shot).
 If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention.
TETANUS IMMUNIZATION
 Short bouts of diarrhea and upset stomach and colds or other breathing diseases sometimes occur in
developed countries, such as the united states, after a natural disaster, particularly among large
groups of people in a shelter. Basic hygiene measures like frequent hand washing or use of an alcohol
hand gel, especially after using the restroom or changing diapers and before eating, can help prevent
these diseases.
 Diseases like cholera or typhoid are rare in developed countries and do not typically occur after a
natural disaster.
 For informationon infectious disease, see infectious disease after a disaster.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
IMMUNIZATIONS
For informationon immunizations for evacuees, relief workers, emergency responders and travelers, see
immunization after a natural disaster.
See CDC Extremes Heat
 Call local authorities to handle animals.
 Secure all food sources and remove any animal carcasses to avoid attracting rats.
 Get rid of dead animals, according to guidelines from your local animal control
authority, as soon as you can. See “Animal Disposal”
www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/animaldisposal.asp
 For guidance on caring for animals entering shelters and for people working with or
handling animals following an emergency, see “Interim Guidelines for Animal Health
and Control of Disease Transmission in Pet Shelters”
(www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/katrina/animalhealthguidelines.asp).
 Also see “Resources for Planning How to Protect Your Pets in an Emergency”
(www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/petprotect.asp).
 In most settings, a disaster does not increase the risk for tetanus. However, the
risk of tetanus among disaster survivors and emergency responders can best be
minimized by following standard immunization recommendations and providing
proper wound care.
 See Tetanus Prevention After a Disaster

Yale Tulane ESF-8 VMOC Special Report - Tropical Storm Karen 3 PM EDT - 5 OCT

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Yale Tulane ESF-8 VMOC Special Report - Tropical Storm Karen 3 PM EDT - 5 OCT