The arrival of hurricane season and potential impact of Hurricane Joaquin serve as a reminder that the 2,800 local health departments across our nation stand ready to help protect residents and families from all sorts of natural disasters and to play a vital role in any recovery efforts. Local health departments are life-saving first responders to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods and earthquakes, as well as to other public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, major accidents and terrorist attacks. Their dedicated staffs work year-round to prepare and are on call 24 hours a day, every day, to respond when needed.
As the association representing local health departments, the National Association of County and City Health Officials will continue to assist and support these departments with their response and recovery plans.
LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH
Executive Director
National Association of County and City Health Officials
NACCHO has compiled a variety of resources to help local health departments prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and flooding. The resources provide guidance on topics such as food and water safety, electrical hazards, and helping children cope with disaster.
Hurricane Resources
- Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency
- Emergency Response Action Steps
- Emergency Wound Care after a Disaster
- Hurricanes and Floods: Key Tips for Consumers about Food and Water Safety
- Protect Yourself from Chemicals Released during a Natural Disaster
- Protect Yourself from Animal and Insect Related Hazards after an Emergency
- Protect Yourself and Others from Electrical Hazards after a Disaster
- Carbon Monoxide Toolkit
- Restaurants and Grocers Reopening after Hurricanes and Flooding
- Returning Home
- Water Related Outbreaks and Emergencies
- What Consumers Need to Know about Food and Water Safety during Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods
- Relief and Recovery Assistance Guide
- Helping Children Cope with Disaster
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane
- After the Hurricane: Helping Young Children Heal
- Teacher Guidelines for Helping Children after Hurricanes
- Trinka and Sam: A Story to Help Children Cope with Hurricanes
Flooding Resources
- Flood Water after a Disaster or Emergency
- Landslides and Mudslides
- Mold, Moisture and your Home
- Protect Yourself from Mold
- Reentering your Flooded Home
- Spanish Language Materials
- What to Know – What to Do/ Fact Sheet
This post was updated on October 1, 2015 to reflect the potential impact of Hurricane Joaquin.
