Catholic Charities of Florida / Emergency Management

Catholic Charities of Florida Inc. serves the most vulnerable, advocates for, and empowers people's capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. We accomplish this regardless of race, religion, age, gender or national origin. Recognizing that disasters happen locally and affect communities and individuals alike, we propose to build human capacity and call the community to action.

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.
• Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., Diocese of St. Augustine
• Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc.
• Catholic Charities of Central Florida (Diocese of Orlando)
• Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida (Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee)
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

Emergency Plans:

• Catholic Charities of Florida Family Emergency Plan | Spanish

Websites:

• National Hurricane Center: Forecasts and analyses of hazardous tropical weather
• Department of Homeland Security: Plan Ahead for Disasters
• FEMA: Information on preparing for and recovering from disasters; disaster survivors can apply for assistance after a Presidential Disaster Recovery Declaration
• FloodSmart Community Resources: Flooding-specific information
• Florida Department of Emergency Management: Weather forecasts and other emergency information along with links to local County Emergency Management Offices
• Florida Department of Transportation Statewide 511: Updated information on evacuation routes, road closures, accidents, etc.
• American Red Cross: Provides a list (updated every 30 mins.) of Red Cross shelters throughout the United States
• Bankrate: Preparedness for seniors and people with diabilities
• ASPCA: Preparing for the needs of your pet during disaster
• Betterpet: Guide to pet safety during natural disasters

Mobile Apps for Smart Phone Users (downloadable on the internet):

• FEMA - Locations of Disaster Recovery Centers after a Presidential Disaster Declaration
• Florida 511 - Updated information on evacuation routes, road closures, accidents, etc.
• Red Cross - Red Cross emergency shelters throughout the United States, updated every 30 mins.

How to Help:

• Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD): Local organizations at the county level made up of various members of the community (mostly non-profits and faith-based organizations) who will have statewide connections to disaster assistance information and organizations. Ask your local emergency manager how to contact and join COAD.
• Florida Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (FLVOAD): Lists voluntary and faith based organizations statewide that provide disaster relief and recovery services. Contact information for each organization can be received by requesting it from the FLVOAD "contact us" page
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD): Information about national organizations with a capacity to respond to disasters in various ways (relief, recovery and long-term recovery)

Videos to Assist Volunteers:

• Ministry of Presence
• Self-Care for Volunteers
• Volunteer Hosting Overview of Church-Based Host Sites
• Volunteer Hosting Overview: Shortened Version for Recovery Training and Tools Events