Tag Archives for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Preparedness: Senate Aging Committee Preps for Impending 2025 Hurricane Season

Published in RINewsToday on May 26, 2025

Just days ago, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin for this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, estimates a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

“In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we’ve never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,” said Ken Graham, Director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, in a May 22 statement. He warned that above-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures are setting the stage for increased hurricane activity. “This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you’re ready before a storm threatens,” he urged.

Over a week before NOAA released its 2025 outlook, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a full committee hearing on Wednesday, May 14, at 3:30 p.m. in room SD–106. Like Graham, the hearing underscored the urgent need for disaster preparedness—particularly for older Americans, who face unique challenges during emergencies. Scheduled ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season, the hearing emphasized the importance of having a clear, actionable emergency plan in place before disaster strikes.

There is No Alternative to Being Prepared for Disasters

Expert witnesses, at the one  hour and 31 minute hearing, shared firsthand insights and best practices for protecting older adults and people with disabilities during emergencies, aiming to raise awareness and inspire action among seniors, caregivers, and policymakers nationwide.

“I’m no stranger to disasters,” admitted Sen. Rick Scott, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, in his opening statement. During his eight years as Florida’s governor and six years as a U.S. Senator, he has personally witnessed the devastation hurricanes can cause. “If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that preparedness saves lives. There is no alternative to getting prepared and having a disaster plan,” he said, stressing that possessions can be replaced—but lives cannot.

“We know the risks and we know the statistics, and it’s our responsibility to plan accordingly,” urged Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, in her opening statement. While natural disasters are dangerous for everyone, they pose even greater risks to older adults and people with disabilities, noted the New York Senator.

According to Sen. Gillibrand, research shows that people with disabilities are up to four times more likely to die in a disaster than the general population, and older adults are more likely to die in a disaster than any other demographic group.

She called for the development of accessible shelters and transportation, alerts in multiple languages, and the requirement that long-term care facilities have disaster plans in place before—not after—a crisis occurs. Gillibrand also announced her intention to reintroduce legislation that would establish a nationwide grant program under the Older Americans Act. This program would incentivize and support states in creating strategic plans for aging populations, with disaster preparedness included as a core component.

“In addition to planning, we must also ensure that state and local governments are properly resourced to build accessibility into their disaster and recovery responses,” she said. Gillibrand also emphasized the need to safeguard federal resources provided through agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Sheriff Chris Nocco of Pasco County, Florida—a county with 24 miles of coastline, located just north of Tampa Bay and home to roughly 750,000 residents, 22% of whom are age 65 and over—shared his insights and expertise on preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. He noted that federal and state partnerships, such as the National Guard and Coast Guard, are invaluable during rescue operations. He also urged law enforcement agencies to utilize evolving technologies such as drones for disaster preparedness and recovery.

“I witnessed individuals who had climbed onto roofs to avoid the rapidly rising storm surge. In one instance, a woman, her small child, and elderly relatives had climbed to the roof of their three-story multifamily housing unit and were awaiting rescue,” said Nocco. He stressed that this highlights the critical importance of following emergency management directives—especially evacuation orders—particularly for the most vulnerable in our communities.

With several days’ notice of an impending disaster, Nocco recommends that older adults request extra prescription medications from their pharmacies and remember to bring phone chargers, emergency contacts, credit cards or cash, and extra clothing when evacuating.

“When people are told to evacuate, they trust law enforcement and fire rescue personnel,” said Nocco. “But they also trust their churches to say, ‘Shelter here.” He suggested that churches can serve as effective emergency shelters and proposed that federal resources be used to equip them with generators and hurricane-resistant windows.

Costly Disasters Becoming “New Normal”

“Nearly 20 percent of Americans are in the 65-and-older age group, and the current growth of this population is unprecedented in U.S. history,” said Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of Disaster Programs for the American Red Cross, noting that this demographic shift comes at a time when more frequent and costly disasters are becoming the “new normal.”  Her Red Cross career began in 2004 when she joined the Disaster Action team in Raleigh, North Carolina as a volunteer

According to Pipa, The New York Times reported that following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, nearly half of those who died were age 65 or older. “Sadly, many drowned at home or died from storm-related injuries,” she said.

Pipa also cited other disasters that claimed the lives of older adults. “The 2018 Camp Fire, which burned for 18 days in Paradise, California, resulted in 85 deaths. Many victims were elderly or had disabilities—the average age was 72. In 2023, more than two-thirds of the 102 confirmed victims of the Maui fires were over the age of 60. And last year, Hurricane Helene caused at least 250 deaths in the United States, with many victims being elderly. In North Carolina alone, two out of every three deaths from Hurricane Helene were among adults aged 60 or older,” she added.

“The intersection of these trends—an aging population and significantly more disasters—should concern all of us,” Pipa told the Senators.

She emphasized that the impact of disasters on older Americans doesn’t end when the storm passes. “People over 65 make up nearly 10 percent of American Red Cross emergency shelter populations after evacuations are lifted,” she said.

“Our responders often encounter elderly disaster survivors living in severely damaged homes or in dwellings without power or water. These individuals frequently express fear of losing their homes and property if they leave. In some cases, we meet older adults who are physically or emotionally unable to get to a shelter or find safer housing,” Pipa added.

She highlighted several Red Cross programs tailored to help communities prepare for disasters:

·       Be Red Cross Ready: A free national preparedness education program for adults, taught by certified instructors.

·       Home Fire Campaign – Home Visits: Fire safety guidance tailored for older adults—such as keeping mobility aids, hearing devices, and medications near the bed, or relocating bedrooms to the ground floor. Includes installation of accessible smoke alarms.

·       Caregivers Preparedness Checklist: Developed with AARP to help caregivers ensure both they and their loved ones are prepared.

·       Building Your Support Network: Encourages older adults to develop a network of trusted individuals who can assist during emergencies.

·       Emergency App: Offers customized preparedness tips, particularly for households with older adults, focusing on hurricane and wildfire planning.

Disaster Planning with the Community  

Finally, Luis Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services—who is disabled and uses a wheelchair—stressed the importance of inclusive emergency planning. “Forward-leaning emergency management agencies are ending the practice of planning for the community and are choosing to plan with the community,” he said. Taylor advocated for the creation of Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Advisory Committees at the state and local levels to ensure better outcomes.

“Inclusive planning leads to press conferences with American Sign Language interpreters, critical updates posted in accessible formats, and evacuation resources and shelters that are both physically and programmatically accessible,” he explained.

Taylor also warned that cutting or eliminating agencies like FEMA, ACL, or the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response would have devastating consequences—especially for older adults and people with disabilities. “These agencies need adequate funding to deliver the full range of federal resources required to respond to and recover from large-scale disasters that overwhelm local communities,” he said.

Training programs before disasters occur and crucial when there is no time to think of everything to take with you.  “People forget their chargers. You know what charger? They forget their wheelchair charger,” notes Taylor. “So we have to engage them beforehand. And that comes through training,” he says. 

To watch Senate Aging Committee Disaster Preparedness hearing, go to https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/preparing-for-disasters-unique-challenges-facing-older-americans.

HHS Climate and Health Outlook tackles climate-related hazards

Published in RINews Today on July 25, 2022

Over two and a half months ago, the Biden administration launched a new initiative, called the Climate and Health Outlook, to serve as a resource to help people, health professionals, and communities protect individual and community health impacted by climate events.

On May 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) launched the first installment of its new public information series called the Climate Health Outlook – https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/climate-health-outlook-may-2022.pdf (Outlook). HHS’s new Outlook series connects weather forecasts to health resources to create actionable data they say will saves lives and reduces illness and health risks associated with climate-related hazards like extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and vector-borne diseases that impact human health.

According to HHS, this inaugural edition of the Outlook will take on extreme heat, which has been a key target of the Biden administration’s efforts to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. As part of this and future editions, the Outlook series will add a health lens to seasonal weather and climate outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to inform health professionals and the public about weather- and climate-related health risks months in advance and provide resources to prepare.

“We’ve seen what exposure to extreme heat can do,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement announcing the new federal initiative. “It can lead to illness and death and makes it much harder to do a day’s work outdoors. Many people in the United States have jobs that require them to work outside to feed their families regardless of the weather. Our new Climate and Health Outlook protects people and their health by giving advance notice to the communities that will be most impacted in the coming months.” she said.

“Our communities across the country will soon be facing heatwaves that will be an additional strain on our health systems,” adds  Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine. “This information will save lives when used by public health officials, employers with outdoor workers, and schools and local health departments and the individuals they serve. Having information in advance can reduce illness and deaths from extreme heat exposure,” she says.

The Outlook illustrates where the greatest health risks from heat will be in the United States during the early 2022 heat season, presenting estimates of which U.S. counties are expected to experience extremely hot days and identifies the vulnerable populations in those counties that could be impacted by heat exposure. It also provides a set of actionable resources from HHS that are targeted to the public, specific populations, health care professionals, and public health officials to reduce health risks from heat.

HHS says that the Outlook will be updated and improved regularly as future data and feedback are collected. Future editions will address other climate-related threats to the health of people living in the United States, with a focus on those most vulnerable. For a copy of  HHS’s Office of Climate Change and Health Equity’s May issue of Climate and Health Outlook: Extreme Heat, go  to https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/climate-health-outlook-may-2022.pdf.

On a Personal Note… Surviving the Dog Days of Summer

Just days ago, Rhode Island officials announced its first heat wave  It took 3 days of 90 degrees or above to make this call. 

Despite the fact that 618 people throughout the nation killed by extreme heat annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable.  

The following tips provided by CDC’s website provide sound tips for helping us stay safe when the temperatures soar.

During an ongoing heat wave, seniors, infants and young children, and people with mental illness, those overweight, and chronic diseases (including heart disease) are at the highest risk of heat-induced illness that can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. Seek medical attention immediately for anyone showing signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke can be life-threatening.

With temperatures rising, wear appropriate clothing that is lightweight, light-colored and loose fitting. 

During extreme heat and humidity, stay in your air-conditioned house or air-conditioned room, if you have that option. Electric fans may provide temporary comfort, but when the outside temperature soars into the high 90s, they won’t prevent heat-related illnesses. Try taking a cool shower or bath. 

Keep in mind: Use your stove and oven less during the heatwave to reduce the inside temperature. Try traveling to an air-conditioned place like a shopping mall, movie theatre, or even go to your local library or cooling shelter? Each city and town, or one nearby, should have cooling centers open. In Providence pools and splash pads have extended hours. For a listing of cooling shelters by city and town, go to https://riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/cooling-centers  (If you need additional assistance call 2-1-1). Even being in a cool space for just a few hours can help your body stay cooler when you have to go back outside.

During a heatwave, go to your local gym to exercise so you can limit your outdoor activities. If you go outside, do this in the morning or evening hours when it’s cool. Start your working or exercise slowly and slowly pick up the pace. If the heat makes your heart pound and you gasp for breath, stop all activity. Go immediately to a shady area especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint, to cool off, this will allow your body to recover from the heat. Drink water.

Sunburn can affect your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. So, when going outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and put on sunscreen of SPF 15 (“broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection”) or higher 30 minutes before going outside.  Continue to reapply it according to the package directions. 

Hot heavy meals can heat up your body. When going outside drink plenty of fluids, regardless of how active you are.  Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Most important, if your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Also, stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks because they cause you to lose more body fluid. You might consider avoiding cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps. Room temperature water is better now.

Finally, heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, and they need to be replaced.  A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose when sweating. If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, always talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets. 

Do not leave children or your pets in cars that can quickly heat up to dangerously high temperatures even with a window cracked open. You put them at risk of getting heat stroke or dying. If you leave your pets outside, leave them plenty of water and in a shaded area. Watch metal pieces in your car, like seatbelts, which can heat up to unbelievably high – and even burning to the skin – temperatures.

During a heat wave, always visit or get in touch with older adults (family or friends) at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

For CDC’s website page on “Extreme Heat” go to https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/.

For warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do, go  to https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.