Given the ferocity of the 2020 hurricane season, now is the time individuals should begin to prepare their hurricane emergency plan for the 2021 season. Experts have already forecasted this season activity levels will be above-normal. Back-to-back above normal hurricane seasons amidst an ongoing global threat imposed by the coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”), increases the risk of contracting COVID-19. The risk is significant when evacuations and displacements require evacuees to seek safety in crowded community shelters, where social distancing becomes difficult to maintain.
Planning for a natural disaster during an ongoing global pandemic presents its fair share of challenges. In order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and prepare for an active hurricane season, emergency managers are urging individuals to update their emergency plan. A typical hurricane kit will include emergency food, water and medicine supplies. But, as COVID-19 attacks the respiratory system, the proper emergency kit should include personal protective equipment (“PPE”), such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, soap, disinfectant wipes, and two masks for each person to include in their kit. 
The next challenge emergency managers are presented with is preventing an outbreak within designated shelters for evacuation purposes. As more people are getting vaccinated another layer to the challenge is, how will the designated shelters separate vaccinated people from others who are not to reduce the spread of COVID-19. So far emergency and shelter managers have developed a few measures to include space for social distancing within the shelters. Evacuees can expect to see more designated shelters, and it is possible vaccinated individuals will be grouped together in certain parts of the shelters. In addition, the designated shelters will provide PPE, and offer food in closed containers. Lastly, evacuees are recommended to clean and disinfect frequently-touched items (toys, cellphones, and other electronics) within their temporary living areas.
