Special needs require special planning

Hurricanes are stressful on anyone, but those who have special needs have to plan for more than a hurricane. They have to plan for the possibility of a hurricane.

Counties designate people with special needs as people with physical, emotional, sensory or visual impairment, and who aren't able to respond independently to an emergency situation that requires evacuation.

Special needs coordinators for county emergency management agencies said people with special needs should register with their home county early and make sure they have plans in place in case they cannot go back home.

"That is the one thing we learned from Wilma," said Patti Clemens, Collier County special needs coordinator. "Don't call at the last minute and don't panic."

What to do if you have special needs:

Those living in Collier County should call Collier County Emergency Management at (239) 774-8000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to request an information packet, which should be completed and signed by the client or the person responsible for his or her care. Packets also are available online at http://www.collierem.org/psn.htm .

Those living in Lee County should call Lee County Emergency Management at (239) 477-3600 Monday through Friday to request a registration form. Forms also are available at the organization's Web site, www.leeeoc.com . Registration for a special needs shelter in Lee County will be cut off five days before the storm, according to Cindy McBride, special needs coordinator.

If a person's physician has decided that he or she needs to be cared for in a hospital during an evacuation, he or she needs to arrange admittance prior to evacuation. If you need 24-hour skilled nursing care or are electricity dependent or on life support, you are a good candidate for hospital care.

For those who register with the county to go to a special needs shelter, it is imperative to provide all of the information requested to county officials, including all medications you are on. The information on the registration packet will remain confidential and will be given out to only those who are responsible for your care.

Make sure you bring everything you will need for 72 hours, but keep a two-week supply of all prescription medicines during hurricane season. Those people in electric wheelchairs should purchase and keep extra batteries.

Oxygen will be provided, but registrants need to bring portable oxygen units with extra oxygen if available.

If you need county transportation to a special needs shelter, be ready when the transportation arrives.

Have a post-storm plan ahead of time. Make sure county officials know who to call and where you can go if you cannot go back to your home after the storm.