Hurricane Joaquin - Message for CPD Directors

Dear CPD Directors –

I am writing to provide you with an update on Hurricane Joaquin as it relates to homeless populations. It appears that this storm could have adverse impacts on parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States, potentially including some or all of the following states: NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, and MA. Such impacts could include heavy rain, high winds, and flooding.

As you know, homeless individuals and families who are sleeping on the streets are among the most vulnerable populations and are often severely impacted during disasters. When a disaster is imminent or has occurred, the SNAPS Office directs TA providers to reach out to CoCs in the affected areas to offer support. We have not activated them yet for Hurricane Joaquin, but once we know more specifically where this storm could have the most significant effects, they will be contacting CoCs to let them know that CoCs and ESG recipients can request technical assistance (TA) to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster. Questions and requests for TA can be submitted via the HUD Exchange. We will also send out a listserv message to alert communities that this TA is available if needed.

In addition, here are some reminders and tips that can help you, CoCs, and homeless individuals and families better prepare for a potential hurricane and flooding in your area:

CoC and ESG recipients, subrecipients, contractors, and program participants should register with local emergency broadcast mechanisms listed below that will alert them to an impending disaster. These alerts can provide individuals and families, as well as service providers, the information they need to act when a disaster occurs.

CoCs and service providers should ensure that they, and others in their CoC, understand the resources that will be available to program participants during a disaster. Evacuation, shelter-in-place, and other plans may differ based on the part of a city in which a unit is located. For example, service providers can help program participants become familiar with local emergency evacuation routes, particularly when helping someone move to a new neighborhood. Or, they could help program participants develop their own plan of action for family members during a disaster.

Become familiar with state and local resources in addition to national and Federal resources. View state government websites and other resources.

Download the FEMA mobile app designed for phones and tablets with disaster safety tips, an interactive emergency kit list, storable emergency meeting locations, and a map with open shelters and open FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).

For more detail on planning for disasters, review the Directory of Disaster Response and Recovery Resources, which provides an outline of the programs, projects and other resources available to a community around disaster preparedness, response and recovery. View additional resources to help a community and individuals prepare for a disaster.

The following information sites are designed to alert communities to a potential or actual disaster: