By Bara Vaida
Those living in North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia are in the bull’s-eye of Hurricane Florence. Given the forecast for excessive flooding, it is likely people in those states will be dealing with the aftermath for awhile. Even if you’re not reporting on an affected location, this may be a good time to ask some questions of your local public health leaders and write about disaster preparedness issues. Here are some resources to help you craft those questions, followed by some links specific to the Carolinas and southern Virginia.
AHCJ articles, other articles and tip sheets
Covering hurricanes: Resources and related stories to help your coverage.
How hurricanes can result in the spread of infectious diseases.
Report focuses on the challenges of disaster preparedness for older adults.
Health system disaster preparedness and data backup: Are hospitals in your community ready?
Reporting on the health impacts of flooding
Puerto Rico’s elderly caught in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria:
Seniors have special concerns in natural disasters like Sandy
Some advice when interviewing victims of mental or other trauma
Reporters’ preparation would decrease chaos in covering disasters
Disaster coverage: Is your newsroom prepared?
AHCJ urges reporters in disaster areas to avoid focusing on selves
Government agencies:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hurricane Florence page
Federal Emergency Management Agency Florence page: – Region III – and Region IV – and Disaster Recovery Centers
U.S. Health and Human Services Public Health Emergency and media inquiries
Press release outlines waived requirements, special enrollment opportunities and steps to help dialysis patients: CMS offers broad support for North Carolina and South Carolina with Hurricane Florence preparation
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
North Carolina Department of Public Health Preparedness & Response
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, disaster preparedness division
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Virginia Department of Health Emergency Preparedness
Hospitals:
North Carolina Healthcare Association and its news page: Organization representing the state’s hospitals
South Carolina Hospital Association: Organization representing the state’s hospitals
Virginia Department of Health Hospital and Healthcare Preparedness: Has a list of hospital emergency contacts by region
Academic research, other sources, coverage of previous hurricanes:
North Carolina State University hurricane experts
Duke University experts discuss potential effects of Hurricane Florence
University of South Carolina hurricane experts
Virginia Tech coastal experts available on hurricane Florence
GAO on public health emergency preparedness and response
Google’s Weather, Hazards, Emergency Preparedness map
Trust for America’s Health report on a funding crisis for public health and safety
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Covering Hurricanes: Before, During and After the Storm:
Poynter Tips on Covering Hurricanes
How Media Got Hurricane Harvey Right
Hurricane Harvey: victims who turned to social media for help
Healthcare Ready is a nonprofit organization supported by both public and private sector partners that works to ensure patient access to health care, including medicines, during times of disaster. It has activated its Emergency Operations Center for Florence.
Based on an earlier tip sheet by AHCJ managing editor Pia Christensen.
