Research Counts

For families whose children have special healthcare needs, preparing for disasters, evacuating, and finding shelter can be overwhelming—and missteps can be life-threatening. Luckily, steps can be taken to keep families safe and reduce stress.

To be more effective, programs and policies that help people relocate away from repetitive coastal disasters should consider what influences their willingness to leave their homes.

While people with disabilities often face obstacles in accessing emergency shelters, global policies are trending towards their inclusion. Read more about how we can equalize access.

Learn more about the system that Wake County, North Carolina, implemented to ensure evacuation shelters were prepared to provide for household pets—increasing the willingness to evacuate and easing the stress of shelter residents.

Disasters are extremely stressful events and it's important that shelter residents can access help to cope. Ensuring that mental health resources are available and confidential can improve the outcomes of those staying in public shelters.

Misconceptions about crime risk can keep people from accessing shelters during disasters—clearly communicating about safety is key.

Libraries play a central role in many communities; but when it comes to participating in disaster response, managerial outlooks might make all the difference.

When extreme events tax the carefully coordinated resources in shelters, community sectors often step in to fill the gaps. Identifying how they can help out before a disaster can make these resources extend even further.

We know that engaging all community members in mitigation planning is a best practice—now we’re learning how to do that equitably. Read more in the latest Research Counts.

The needs and experiences of those who are homeless during disasters can be very different from other populations, yet often emergency planning doesn't account for their specific needs. A targeted toolkit makes it easier to address that gap.