Prepare your church, home, and congregation with these simple lists. Save them to your phone, tablet, and computer for easy reference on the go.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be constructed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance company for more information.
A simple checklist of things to have:
- At least 7-10 days of supplies – these supplies include food, water, medicine, batteries, first aid kit, etc. See full hurricane prep checklist here.
- COVID-19 Supplies – In addition to the hurricane prep checklist, consider hand sanitizer, cleaning materials (Lysol, Clorox, and Disinfectant, etc.) and two cloth face coverings per person (“Build a Kit“, ready.gov). Children under two years old and people who have trouble breathing should not wear cloth face coverings (“How to Protect Yourself and Others“, cdc.gov).
- Have some cash on hand and a full tank of gas in your car.
- Whether you plan to stay or evacuate, make sure you have clear plans
- Make sure you communicate your plans with out-of-state family members and check in with them as soon as possible after the storm has passed.
- “Make a Plan” from ReadyNC.org
- Secure loose items around the home and church: lawn furniture, playground equipment, etc.
- If planning to evacuate or in a mandatory evacuation zone, leave early.
- Save these helpful phone numbers
- 2-1-1 – call this number for information and assistance (essential needs, food, housing, etc.)
- 888-440-9167 – call the Conference Disaster Ministries Call Center to report needs in your community or offer assistance
*List adapted from the Disaster Recovery Ministry, Florida Restores, The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church.
The ways in which we prepare for hurricane season looks different this year due to COVID-19. The American Red Cross and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention share tips on how to prepare for a disaster during the pandemic.
For more information on preparation, read our articles on Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Preparation for Churches.