Hurricanes in a pandemic: 'Absolutely that's our nightmare scenario'

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Emergency managers run drills on handling multiple catastrophes at once, such as a cyberattack during a tornado or a mass shooting amid a destructive flood.

But most disaster plots don’t involve a months-long pandemic sapping resources globally from aid groups and governments while so much of the nation is shut down, self-isolating and unemployed.

This is where they find themselves in the run-up to the 2020 hurricane season, which leading forecasts predict will be the fifth consecutive year of above-normal activity. A forecast released Thursday suggests we could see four major hurricanes develop.

The U.S. may still be battling the coronavirus outbreak when hurricane season officially begins June 1, and waves of infections could follow during peak months for storms in late summer and early fall. Emergency officials say major storms could severely strain the ability of states and the federal government to protect lives. How do you evacuate coastal areas and open shelters with social distancing? What about supplies of food and medical equipment?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/hurricanes-in-a-pandemic-absolutely-thats-our-nightmare-scenario/ar-BB125qxp?li=BBnbcA1

[Chainfire]

1. As a Florida resident

This has been on my mind since the beginning. There are not good answers. The weather doesn't know that there is a pandemic on, and furthermore, it doesn't care. What will happen if we have a hurricane and people need to evacuate to shelters is that poor people will be doubly risking their lives. Those of us with the resources to do so can just drive away from a storm. All of the poor and the newly unemployed will NOT be able to do that and would be forced to either shelter in place and take their chances or risk a packed shelter.

If a cat V bears down on a major metropolitan area, there will be hell to pay. Storm season arrives in about 7 weeks. What is the chances that the virus will be done with us by then?

[NightWatcher]

2. I'm quietly adding hurricane supplies to the shopping lists. Also bought a freezer and generator.

Because you just know that this year of all years we will get storms.

[BellaBarnes]

3. Murphy's Law

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Bella's Law: Trump will fuck it up even worse.
As a lifelong Florida resident, I have also been adding hurricane supplies to my pandemic supplies.

[renate]

4. I've got a worse nightmare scenario

The Cascadia earthquake during a pandemic.

1) More people (possibly from Canada down to California) and more damage

2) Blue states, so Trump would deny us the help we'd need. Maybe he'd throw some paper towels at us and call us nasty people if we're lucky.