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Disaster Preparation | Emergency Preparedness and Response
On August 29, Hurricane Ida - with its 15-mile wide eye-wall - slammed into the Louisiana coast, causing floods, destroying homes and cutting off electricity for millions of residents.
It was 16 years to the day after catastrophic Hurricane Katrina hit the same low-lying regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Hurricane Ida's landfall was just one in a series of storms that have struck the southeast during an especially devastating hurricane season. And it comes in a year when floods, wildfires and blizzards have damaged and disrupted regions across the country.
The series of natural disasters serves as constant reminder that daily routines can be upended at any moment.
The risks often vary by region. Those living in the Rocky Mountains, Texas, and the West Coast are at particular risk of wildfires with the peak season running from May through October. While more wildfires occur in Eastern and Central states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, wildfires in Western states are larger and burn more acreage.
People who live along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts face the possibility of a hurricane making landfall between June and November.
Fortunately, our active duty, Guard and Reserves plan for, prepare for and respond to these other natural disasters on a regular basis.
And the Military Health System also provides support in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, American Red Cross and others - part of the whole-of-government response to natural disasters.
TRICARE plays an important role before, during and after natural disasters, specifically with regard to disaster alerts and accessing emergency prescription refills. TRICARE experts recommend first signing up for disaster alerts. These alerts are sent via text and email, and give updated information from federal agencies and departments, state and local governments, and the news and other media.