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Next week is the official start of summer and, in parts of the country, hurricane season. Veterans and their families can find help and support through the resources listed in this blog. Print out a copy, put it on the fridge and make sure everyone in your family knows what to do.

Did you know there is a “one stop shop” for Veterans seeking assistance after an emergency or for when a natural disaster strikes?

There’s hot summer weather, and then there are heat waves or extreme heat. Much like other natural disasters, extreme heat can be very dangerous.

While early spring can be a welcome break from winter weather, it brings with it an increased risk of floods. They are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters that occur each year.

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning – for now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to current disasters (pandemic, fires, floods, hurricanes), there is no better time than now to create your preparedness plan.

VA nurses expect challenges but on a Monday in August in Iowa this team faced a bigger challenge than they expected. Central Iowa was hit by a storm with winds reported over 90 miles per hour.

June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Did you remember to include your pet/service animal in your hurricane preparedness plan? Don’t leave your best friend stranded during a weather emergency.

Hurricane Season is June 1 – Nov. 30. Never underestimate the value of being prepared! Check out the information below to learn more about hurricanes, hazards associated with hurricanes and what you can do to prepare.

VA is ready for the COVID-19 pandemic, said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie during a White House press briefing March 18. “One of the things we do at VA is that we prepare for national emergencies, be they national emergencies or epidemics,” Wilkie said. VA has four specific missions. Three are Veterans health care, Veterans benefits and running national cemeteries. “Our fourth mission is to support the federal government in times of natural disasters and pandemics,” he said. Wilkie said VA is the “buttress force” if the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) needs medical professionals for crises.

All facilities supporting the intake of evacuated patients and remaining active during the storm have topped off energy, food and oxygen supplies.

Due to anticipated severe weather associated with the storm, the Bay Pines VA is transfering approximately 100 patients currently admitted for care at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center to other VA facilities in Florida.

With the approach of Hurricane Matthew, VA facilities along the east coast, from Florida through South Carolina, are implementing their emergency preparedness plans.