NEW ORLEANS – As hurricane season enters its more active period, Arc of Greater New Orleans (ArcGNO) closely monitors the weather. In the event of a major storm, Arc must secure five community centers, and more importantly, evacuate participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) along with their support staff, which is not an easy task.
That is why ArcGNO has officially launched a new Hurricane Preparedness Campaign to help offset the costs of transportation, housing, food and individualized care during an evacuation for people in its care.
Hurricane Ida proved the need for more funding
Cindy Pettway, director of supported living services (SLS) at ArcGNO, was among those who evacuated during Ida. She manages SLS, which is a well-regarded program that offers support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who wish to live independently or with a loved one.
However, as Pettway explains, “Most of our SLS participants live on their own and require either part-time care or 24-hour assistance. So, during Hurricane Ida, we had SLS participants and support staff who needed to be evacuated. In total, we evacuated nearly 50 people.”
Securing accommodation for the group who need to stay together for an indefinite number of days – while also providing meals and daily care – is a major challenge. Transportation presents another serious concern. Arc maintains a fleet of vans, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles, but the fleet is aging and heavily used. Even with ongoing maintenance throughout the year, ensuring reliable transportation during hurricane season remains a critical need.
Latiya Smith, ArcGNO’s chief employment and community advancement officer, saw those challenges firsthand during Ida. After arriving in Houston, she found herself managing a range of vehicle repairs and mechanical issues.
“When we arrived in Houston, we were immediately confronted with a long list of problems that needed attention, including replacing several van tires,” said Smith. To add even more stress to the situation, Smith said ongoing power outages in New Orleans forced the evacuation to be extended; however, the hotel they were at could not accommodate them.
“What we initially thought would be a short evacuation quickly turned into a much longer ordeal, so we had to relocate to another city,” said Smith. “We had to ensure all our vans were road-ready so we could travel again, which added significant costs to an already expensive situation.”
ArcGNO Executive Director Heather Matthews said the height of hurricane season is one of the most challenging times of year for the organization. Because SLS participants live on limited incomes, ArcGNO absorbs much of the cost of evacuation, including lodging, meals, and care. Staffing expenses also rise significantly, as team members work around the clock to ensure participants’ safety, comfort, and well-being while also dealing with their own families preparing for the unknown. For individuals with IDD, evacuating can be especially challenging, due to a wide range of needs and personalities.
“Hurricane evacuations are unlike any other emergency we face. Within just a matter of days, the emergency funds we set aside for an evacuation can be completely depleted,” said Matthews and emphasizes, “depending on the size of the storm and how long we must remain away, the costs of accessible transportation, lodging, meals, medications, fuel, and around-the-clock support add up almost immediately.”
Matthews says there is also an emotional cost that cannot be measured. For many of Arc’s staff and the people they support, evacuations bring back memories of Katrina and Ida. The uncertainty, disruption, and fear are very real; however, as Matthews explains, “Our year-round preparation means we can respond quickly, reduce anxiety, and focus on what matters most: ensuring every person returns home safely.”
What can be measured is the hard costs involved in an evacuation, and Matthews says through its Hurricane Preparedness Campaign, ArcGNO hopes to build the resources needed to respond quickly and effectively when severe weather threatens the region. Community support will help ensure that people with IDD receive safe transportation, secure shelter, nutritious meals, and the personalized care they need during an evacuation.
For more information or to support the campaign, visit the Hurricane Preparedness Campaign.