Experts are predicting another active hurricane season for 2006 which starts on June 1 and runs through November 30. If those forecasts are correct, the 2006 season could be comparable to the storm-filled seasons of 2004 and 2005 the costliest on record.

Affected Occupational Health staff should be performing general hurrricane preparations at their locations and homes. In addition, all Occupational Health staff in affected areas should also be preparing for health related hurricane issues ranging from sanitation to vaccine information.

The links listed below include generic hurricane preparedness information as well as specific health related guidelines.

Check the following CDC sites frequently for updated information and interim recommendations.

• Worker Safety During Hurricane Cleanup
  This site addresses addresses worker safety during hurricane Katrina cleanup such as immunization recommendations for first responders.
• Hurricane-Related Information for Health Care Professionals
  This site offers a list of resources helpful to healthcare professionals after a hurricane such as guidelines for the management of acute diarrhea and interim immunization recommendations for individuals displaced by hurricane Katrina.
• Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery: Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane
  This CDC site provides generic key facts about hurricane recovery and necessary measures to protect health and safety of the public after a storm.
• Additional CDC Sites
  • Intake form - available online from a CDC web site page
  • Hand Hygiene in Emergency Situations
  • Key Facts About Infectious Diseases
  • Daily Update on CDC's Response
  • Q&A about Immunization Recommendations following Hurricane Katrina

Check the following sites frequently for updated information and interim recommendations.

• AIHA Emergency Response Page for Katrina
  The American Industrial Hygiene Association has put together a collection of checklists, information sheets, safety and health plans, etc. Many of these resources are designed for the industrial hygienist or environmental health professional involved with the aftermath of a hurricane affected area. The documents are in pdf, word, and excel formats.
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  The Department of Health and Human Services refers to the CDC as the key agency coordinating health information for individuals, responders, and health professionals for all Federal agencies. The department refers to this CDC site for the information.
• FEMA Hurricane Resources Page
  This site focuses on preparing for a hurricane, surviving a storm, and a great deal of state-by-state recovery information such as disaster recovery centers, temporary housing locations, key phone numbers, etc.
• Florida Department of Health (FL DOH)
  This site is devoted to health and safety issues related to hurricanes. The material is posted in English, Spanish and Creole.
• NIOSH Safety and Health Topic Page: Storm and Flood Cleanup
  Storm and flood cleanup activities can be hazardous. This NIOSH page provides links to guidelines and recommendations during storm and flood cleanup activities. The site also points out potential dangers involved to workers and volunteers involved with storm and flood cleanup, as well as the proper safety precautions which should be taken.
• OSHA Hurricane Page
  The OSHA Hurricane Page provides information on avoiding hazards and safely cleaning up after a hurricane is available from OSHA to help workers who are involved in recovery and restoration efforts. Fact sheets on issues and hazards relating to recovery and cleanup efforts following hurricanes are available on the agency's Hurricane Katrina Recovery page.
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
  This site has generic emergency preparedness information , as well as, specific information related to Hurricane Katrina.