When Disaster Strikes:

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• When Disaster Strikes
• Planning for and Responding to Disasters
• 2009 Summer Institute

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• Dawn D. Blackmar, D.V.M.
• Director,
• Veterinary Public Health

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Overview

• Background of planning for pets in disasters
• Planning at the local level in Harris County
• Hurricane Ike evacuation activities
• Planning at the regional state level
• Hurricane Ike response
• Planning for responding to wildlife issues

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• Disaster planning for pets how we got to where
  we are
• Houston/Harris County plan for evacuating pet
  owners with pets
• Testing the plan the dress rehearsal
• Hurricane Ike - show time

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Evacuating Pets

• PETS Act Pets Evacuation Transportation
  Standards Act of 2006 was signed into law by then
  President Bush on October 6, 2006.

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Evacuating Pets

• Governor Perrys Task Force on Evacuation,
  Transportation and Logistics reported in February
  2006 that pets present a unique special need
  during an evacuation. Pet owners are often
  unwilling to abandon their pets, which could
  result in loss of life. Shelters and
  transportation services should plan and provide
  for special accommodations for pet owners during
  an evacuation.

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Evacuating Pets

• In 2007 the Texas Legislature passed Simbas
  Law requiring that county governments include
  service animals and household pets when planning
  for evacuation, transport and temporary
  sheltering during disasters.

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Hurricane Preparedness for Pet Owners

• Determine whether or not to shelter-in- place or
  evacuate.
• Develop a disaster plan that includes pets
• Dont leave home without em!
• Hope for the best but plan for the worst!

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Harris County Disaster Animal Management Task
Force

• Formed in February 2005
• Representatives from local emergency managers,
  animal welfare organizations, state/local health
  departments, USDA, Texas Animal Health
  Commission, animal control, Harris County VMA,
  Houston Horse Council, Continental Airlines, Red
  Cross, and Houston Metro.

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Houstons Assisted Evacuation Plan for Pets

• The George R. Brown (GRB) Center will be the
  designated evacuation hub for the City of
  Houston.
• Metro is responsible for getting people
  requesting evacuation assistance to the GRB. The
  Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care will assist
  metro with animal issues as needed.
• HCPHES Veterinary Public Health will provide
  animal services at the GRB.
• The state of Texas will provide transportation
  from the GRB to the host city.

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Exercising the Plan April 08Operation Provide
a Ride
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Transporting Equipment to GRB
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Waiting for the Buses
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Loading the Buses
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Who says we need pet carriers?
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Is this really a pet? ?
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After Action Briefing
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• Hurricane Ike Timeline
• September 3rd Tropical Storm
• September 4th Category 4 Hurricane
• September 9th entered Gulf of Mexico as a
  Category 1 storm
• September 11th mandatory evacuation for 8 zip
  codes
• September 12th mandatory evacuation of entire
  City of Galveston

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• Hurricane Ike Timeline (continued)
• September 12th 105 MPH winds reached the coast
  of Texas Louisiana
• September 13th made landfall at Galveston

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(No Transcript)
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• Hurricane Ike

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Hurricane Ike Facts

• Damages in US cost 19.3 billion - 4th costliest
  storm
• Produced 10 -13 foot storm surge that pushed
  inland 30 miles
• Presumed US death toll is 54
• Disrupted power to 7.5 million people
• Hurricane force wind gusts reported in Cincinnati
• 2.6 million people lost power in Ohio
• 10 off shore rigs destroyed, 2 pipelines damaged,
  14 refineries were forced to close
• Galveston seawall severely damaged 70 feet of
  beach washed away

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Hurricane Ike the real thing!
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In line to board the buses
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Medical Special Needs
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Setting up the MSNRLR for people . . . . .
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and their pets!
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• Veterinary Public Health
• www.countypets.com
• www.hcphes.org