CNCounty News

Help your most vulnerable in a disaster with a special needs shelter

Author

Image of Mary-Ann-Barton2.jpg

Mary Ann Barton

County News Editor & Senior Writer

Upcoming Events

Related News

If your county is looking for a solution to helping your most vulnerable population when disaster strikes, the answer might be a special needs shelter.

Palm Beach County (Fla.) Commissioner Gregg Weiss told a packed room of NACo members Sunday at NACo’s Legislative Conference to prepare to help those populations who might have difficulties helping themselves when disaster strikes. 

Weiss made his comments at the “Preparing Vulnerable Populations for Disasters: A Meeting of the Resilient Counties Advisory Board” meeting chaired by Hawaii County Council Chairwoman Valerie Poindexter.

NACo President Mary Ann Borgeson also stopped by the meeting with a message: Counties need to think about how they can help their elderly populations age gracefully in place. (Borgeson also asked members to stop by a workshop Monday on Leveraging Federal Policy to Strengthen Networks of Support for Aging Americans.)

In addition to the elderly, Weiss said that counties also need to consider the needs of the homeless, lower-income families, young people and children when it comes to caring for them during disasters.

Ahead of a disaster, some of the things a county can do ahead of time, he said, include:

  • Conducting outreach activities throughout the year.

  • Guiding persons with special needs to a special needs shelter program so the county can assess their needs.

  • Creating a list of special needs shelter clients.

  • Asking residents to prepare to shelter in place for at least three days, with supplies of food, water and medicine.

  • Assessing the needs of your vulnerable population with a survey.

  • Making arrangements to identify people with special needs in advance when the power goes out, such as those on oxygen.

  • Talking to retirement communities.

  • Getting on every media (radio, TV, newspaper, online) to get the word out.

What is a special needs shelter? 

Weiss gave some definitions of what a special needs shelter is (and also what it is not): It provides a setting for those with certain medical needs and others to remain independent during a disaster; it is staffed by licensed medical personnel, contractors and county staff who provide medical observation and assistance when necessary, and it is not a healthcare facility. Clients are expected to provide their own care, and caregivers as required to maintain their health.

Attachments

Related News

Leslie Boissiere, of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, talks about her organization’s support of youth-centered services with Second Vice President George Dunlap during the Closing General Session July 13. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Casey Foundation emphasizes support for youth

“When youth are asked what helped them the most, they might name a program, but they will absolutely name a person that believed in them,” Leslie Boissiere told the General Session audience.

Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long (left) and Harris County, Texas Commissioner Adrian Garcia discuss FEMA reform efforts July 13 before members of the NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Former FEMA chief is bearish on reform talks

Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long has yet to hear any proposals for federal disaster reform that would make a significant improvement to the way it operates.

Texas National Guard troops use boats to search for survivors in Kerr County following floods that began in the region on July 4, 2025. More than 230 Guard personnel are working in three counties to clear debris and conduct search and rescue operations. Photo courtesy of the Texas National Guard
County News

Texas Hill Country floods kill more than 100 across six counties

Nineteen different local and state agencies are involved with the search and rescue efforts over six counties following flash flooding in Texas' Guadalupe River.