i 

COVID-19 Pandemic 

Operational Guidance for 

the 2020 Hurricane Season

May 2020

 
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COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Executive Summary

On March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 

pandemic to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a nationwide emergency declaration 

for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia pursuant to Section 501(b) of the Stafford 

Act. In response to COVID-19, the entire Nation, including every level of government—federal, state, 

tribal, territorial, and local—has been engaged in efforts to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19 

through a multitude of initiatives including stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, use of Personal 

Protective Equipment (PPE), and adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

guidelines.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nation is facing unprecedented challenges as we respond 

to additional disasters, anticipate emergent incidents, and prepare for the 2020 hurricane season. 

Although the operating environment has changed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s

(FEMA) mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters remains the same. Federal, state, 

local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials, along with the private sector and non-governmental 

organizations (NGO), must partner together to fulfill their respective missions and help disaster 

survivors. As the Nation continues to respond to and recover from COVID-19 while posturing for the 

coming hurricane season, emergency managers must continue to operate under a framework of a 

locally executed, state managed, and federally supported approach to incident stabilization. 

To help SLTT emergency managers and public health officials respond to incidents during the 2020 

hurricane season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA is releasing the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season. This document will:

• Describe anticipated challenges to disaster operations posed by COVID-19 and describe 

planning considerations for emergency managers in light of these challenges; 

• Outline how FEMA plans to adapt response and recovery operations to the realities and risks 

of COVID-19 to: 

o Ensure prioritization for life safety, life sustainment, and workforce protection, and

o Maintain the delivery of FEMA’s programs and help to solve complex problems by using 

whole-of-community disaster assistance to the highest level possible; 

• Allow SLTT emergency managers to prepare and plan accordingly based on FEMA’s 

operational posture and create a shared understanding of expectations between FEMA and 

SLTTs prior to hurricane season; and

• Provide guidance, checklists, and resources to enable emergency managers to best adapt 

response and recovery plans.

This document is comprised of two main sections: response planning and recovery planning.

Throughout each section, emergency managers will find detailed information on FEMA’s operating 

posture and guidance for SLTT governments. In the appendixes, emergency managers will find 

checklists and resources on FEMA operations and additional COVID-19 related guidance. While SLTT 

emergency managers are the primary audience for this document, this guidance can also be used by

Emergency Support Function (ESF) and Recovery Support Function (RSF) partners as these 

departments and agencies plan and posture for the 2020 hurricane season.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Purpose 

In preparing for the 2020 hurricane season, this document provides actionable guidance to SLTT 

officials to prepare for response and recovery operations and encourages personal preparedness 

measures amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While this document focuses on hurricane season 

preparedness, most planning considerations can also be applied to any disaster operation in the 

COVID-19 environment, including no-notice incidents, spring flooding and wildfire seasons, and 

typhoon response. 

Information presented in this document regarding FEMA’s operating posture should serve as a 

baseline for SLTT partners. For specific disaster response and recovery operations, FEMA will continue 

to work directly with federal and SLTT partners and may adjust this guidance based on the 

requirements of the incident, the operating environment and phased reopening as directed by SLTT

officials, and any updates to existing guidance at the time of the incident. 

While much of the SLTT considerations and planning guidance is specific to the public sector, NGOs 

and the private sector can utilize these factors for planning and preparedness. This document can be 

used to gain a better understanding of governmental posture, planning, and readiness efforts and how 

NGOs and the private sector play critical roles in response and recovery operations. 

Questions, comments, and feedback from non-FEMA emergency management readers should be 

directed to the appropriate FEMA Regional Office. Questions, comments, and feedback from FEMA 

personnel and stakeholders regarding this document should be directed to the Office of Response and 

Recovery at FEMA Headquarters. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Table of Contents 

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... i

Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... ii

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ iii

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1

Adapting to the COVID-19 Operating Environment................................................................................ 1

Response Planning for 2020 Hurricane Season ....................................................................................... 1

FEMA’s Current Posture........................................................................................................................... 2

Operational Coordination .................................................................................................................... 2

FEMA Personnel and Augmentation ................................................................................................... 3

Contract and Commodity Readiness .................................................................................................. 5

Remote Disaster Operations ............................................................................................................... 5

Disaster Facilities................................................................................................................................. 6

SLTT Response Planning ......................................................................................................................... 7

Operational Coordination and Communications................................................................................ 8

Commodities and Points of Distribution............................................................................................. 9

Staffing and Workforce Protection Planning ................................................................................... 10

Evacuation Planning ......................................................................................................................... 10

Recovery Planning for 2020 Hurricane Season ...................................................................................... 11

FEMA’s Current Recovery Posture ....................................................................................................... 12

Mass Care/Emergency Assistance .................................................................................................. 12

Virtual Preliminary Damage Assessments ....................................................................................... 14

Disaster Survivor Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers ....................................................... 14

Individual and Households Programs and Direct Housing ............................................................. 15

Community Services Programs ........................................................................................................ 15

Public Assistance .............................................................................................................................. 16

Hazard Mitigation .............................................................................................................................. 17

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation ........................................................................ 17

Interagency Recovery Coordination ................................................................................................. 18

SLTT Recovery Planning ....................................................................................................................... 18

Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Planning ................................................................................... 19

Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Application Processes ............ 20

SLTT Recovery Process ..................................................................................................................... 21

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 22
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Appendix A: Additional Resources............................................................................................................A-1

Preparedness Resources .....................................................................................................................A-1

Response Resources ............................................................................................................................A-3

Recovery Resources .............................................................................................................................A-5

Appendix B: Preparedness Considerations Checklist ............................................................................ B-1

Review and Modify ............................................................................................................................... B-1

Consider and Identify ........................................................................................................................... B-1

Message and Engage .......................................................................................................................... B-2

Appendix C: Response Considerations Checklist ................................................................................... C-1

Safety and Security .............................................................................................................................. C-2

Food, Water, Shelter ............................................................................................................................ C-2

Health and Medical .............................................................................................................................. C-4

Energy (Power and Fuel) ...................................................................................................................... C-5

Communications .................................................................................................................................. C-5

Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... C-6

Hazardous Materials ............................................................................................................................ C-7

Appendix D: Recovery Considerations Checklist .................................................................................... D-1

Leadership and Authority .................................................................................................................... D-1

Staffing ................................................................................................................................................. D-1

Communications and Engagement ..................................................................................................... D-2

Recovery Planning ................................................................................................................................ D-2

Financial Management ........................................................................................................................ D-3

Appendix E: Public Messaging Guidance on Hurricanes ....................................................................... E-1

Be Prepared for a Hurricane ............................................................................................................... E-1

Highlight ............................................................................................................................................ E-1

Definition .......................................................................................................................................... E-1

Quick Facts ....................................................................................................................................... E-1

Protect Yourself Key Messages ....................................................................................................... E-1

How to Stay Safe When a Hurricane Threatens ................................................................................. E-2

Prepare Now ..................................................................................................................................... E-2

Survive During .................................................................................................................................. E-3

Be Safe After .................................................................................................................................... E-4

Take an Active Role in Your Safety ................................................................................................. E-4

Helpful Links ......................................................................................................................................... E-5

Videos ............................................................................................................................................... E-5
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Tip Sheets ......................................................................................................................................... E-5

More Information ............................................................................................................................. E-5

Information for Youth ........................................................................................................................... E-5

About ................................................................................................................................................. E-5

Words to Know ................................................................................................................................. E-6

Am I at Risk? ..................................................................................................................................... E-6

What Can I Do?................................................................................................................................. E-6

Getting Sick ...................................................................................................................................... E-7

Learn More ....................................................................................................................................... E-8

Helpful Links ..................................................................................................................................... E-8

Appendix F: Acronyms ............................................................................................................................... F-1
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Introduction 

Emergency managers should anticipate the added complexities of conducting response and recovery 

operations while taking preventative measures to protect the health and safety of disaster survivors1

and the disaster workforce. By creating a shared understanding of expectations among FEMA and 

SLTT partners in anticipation of emergent incidents, emergency managers at all levels will be better 

positioned to successfully deliver the mission and achieve operational outcomes in disaster response 

and recovery this season. FEMA will continue to coordinate closely with jurisdictions and align or adjust 

disaster operations based on SLTT guidance, the best available health information, and in alignment 

with the White House Guidelines for Opening Up America Again (Guidelines).2

As SLTT partners continue to prepare for hurricane season and other emergent incidents, emergency 

managers should review and adjust existing plans, including continuity of operations (COOP) plans, to 

account for the realities and risks of COVID-19 in their prioritization of life-saving and life-sustaining 

efforts. All reviews and adjustments to plans should factor-in FEMA’s planned operational posture, 

social distancing measures, CDC guidance, and SLTT public health guidance. Additionally, SLTTs 

should begin preparing and distributing communication materials that address preparedness while 

under the threat of COVID-19 for use in local communities as soon as possible.

Adapting to the COVID-19 Operating Environment 

FEMA is prepared to support SLTT entities in accordance with the National Incident Management 

System, National Response Framework (NRF), National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), 

Response Federal Interagency Operational Plan (FIOP), Recovery FIOP, and Comprehensive 

Preparedness Guide 101. There will be adaptions at all levels of emergency management in the COVID19 environment, but to the greatest extent possible, the foundational concepts will remain intact.

Preparedness, response, recovery planning, and COOP at all levels of government must: 

• Be built upon scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordination; 

• Align key roles and responsibilities across the Nation; 

• Ensure successful incident stabilization of community lifelines; 

• Provide programs and services to disaster survivors; and 

• Ensure successful restoration of the health, social, economic, natural, and environmental 

fabric of the community.

Response Planning for 2020 Hurricane Season 

Emergency managers should anticipate evolving and emergent incidents throughout the 2020

hurricane season that may require response operations with life-saving and life-sustaining efforts. 

SLTTs should be prepared to lead scalable and flexible response operations and adapt to adjustments

in how FEMA implements disaster assistance and delivers programs. Since many aspects of disaster 

response may be conducted remotely this year, SLTTs should be prepared to coordinate through virtual 

1 Disaster survivors include people with civil rights protections, such as persons with disabilities, older adults, 

individuals with limited English proficiency, and others with civil rights protections.

2 All references in the document are included in Appendix A: Additional Resources. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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communications and ensure the public is aware that the FEMA application process may be virtual and

not in-person due to health and safety considerations.

FEMA’s Current Posture 

FEMA has ongoing disaster operations in all 10 

regions, with personnel supporting at the National 

Response Coordination Center (NRCC), Regional 

Response Coordination Centers (RRCC), Joint 

Field Offices (JFO), and other field locations and 

fixed facilities. Personnel who are currently 

deployed will be prepared to pivot to support 

emergent needs. FEMA regions will continue to 

provide technical assistance and coordination for 

a range of program areas with their respective 

SLTT partners. FEMA is also well-positioned with 

thousands of personnel in the field supporting 

existing operations, thousands more available 

national assets ready to support emergent 

disaster operations, and more personnel joining 

the Agency through virtual onboarding every two 

weeks. In order to better adapt plans in this 

environment and support SLTT partners, FEMA 

programs will continue to provide assistance to 

survivors, but many programs may require online 

or phone registration processes (in lieu of inperson), remote assessments or inspections, and 

adapted program delivery within impacted areas 

experiencing localized outbreaks or periods of 

peak COVID-19 activity. However, when and if 

SLTT partners are overwhelmed, FEMA is prepared 

and postured to provide program support, 

regardless of delivery method.

Operational Coordination

In response to the COVID-19 national emergency declarations, the NRCC, all 10 RRCCs, all state and 

territorial emergency operations centers (EOC), and several tribal EOCs were activated. FEMA field 

leaders and regions are developing response plans and reviewing stabilization considerations for the 

seven community lifelines with a focus on areas that may already be impacted by COVID-19 operations. 

Funding Sources to Support Preparedness 

and Operational Readiness 

FEMA awarded $100 million in FY 2020 

Emergency Management Performance Grant 

Supplemental (EMPG-S) funding to state and 

territorial government agencies to prevent, 

prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 

public health emergency. FEMA expects that 

recipients prioritize EMPG-S funds to 1) 

review, modify, and/or execute logistics and 

enabling contracts to increase capability to 

stockpile and provide necessary resources 

needed to stabilize lifelines; 2) modify 

evacuation plans to account for limited travel 

options and increased time needed for 

healthcare facilities in a COVID-19 

environment; 3) identify mass care and 

shelter options that meet CDC guidance and 

mitigate risks to communities and vulnerable 

citizens; and 4) emphasize collection, 

analysis, and sharing of data to strengthen 

decision-support capabilities. 

In addition, FEMA expects recipient

emergency managers to work with their 

assigned FEMA Regional Administrator to 

develop FY 2020 EMPG Work Plans that 

ensure adequate funding and planning for 

hurricane preparedness and response efforts 

in a COVID-19 environment.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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FEMA expects to maintain some level of

activation into the 2020 hurricane season

in order to best support SLTT operations. 

To ensure that operational decisions are 

made at the lowest level possible, 

consistent with the NRF, FEMA is 

organizing to prioritize resources and 

adjudicate accordingly, if needed: 

• At the incident level, Federal 

Coordinating Officers (FCO), in 

consultation with Regional 

Administrators, will work to 

address incident requirements 

using available resources. FCOs 

will proactively manage and 

identify risks and communicate 

new requirements to the RRCCs as 

they arise.

• At the regional level, the RRCCs 

will coordinate with FEMA 

personnel deployed to SLTT EOCs and adjudicate resource requests until operational control 

is ready to be transitioned to the FCO at the incident level, when designated, and will adjudicate 

resources within their area of operation and coordinate with other RRCCs and the NRCC as 

required.

• At the national level, the NRCC will coordinate with the regions on requirements and adjudicate 

resources to address national priorities.

FEMA routinely responds to multiple incidents simultaneously and will continue to posture support for

stabilization of community lifelines. The NRCC is structured, designed, and staffed to support

concurrent operations; however, due to the nationwide response efforts supporting COVID-19, FEMA 

is preparing additional personnel and physical space to meet expanded NRCC incident support 

requirements. Training and mobilizing additional personnel will provide a more flexible and scalable 

workforce that can expand the capacity and capability of the existing structure in the event of 

additional concurrent incidents. Additionally, FEMA regions are also planning for contingencies to 

handle multiple operations concurrent with the ongoing COVID-19 response.

FEMA Personnel and Augmentation

FEMA’s national personnel assets remain prioritized and ready for deployments for life-saving and lifesustaining response operations. In addition to FEMA personnel, FEMA will work with federal partners

to provide capabilities for community lifeline stabilization through ESF support and mission 

assignments. 

Community Lifelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

The NRF defines community lifelines as those 

services that enable the continuous operation of 

critical government and business functions that are 

essential to human health and safety or economic 

security. FEMA will use the community lifelines to 

prioritize response efforts and support resource 

adjudication decisions across the Nation. The seven 

community lifelines are:

• Safety and Security; 

• Food, Water, Shelter; 

• Health and Medical;

• Energy (Power and Fuel);

• Communications;

• Transportation; and 

• Hazardous Materials.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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National Incident Management Assistance Teams

National Incident Management Assistance Teams (NIMAT) are on standby to support any disaster 

operation and are modifying equipment caches to ensure self-sufficiency. Planning factors for 

deploying a NIMAT in a COVID-19 environment include: 

• The ability of the Regional Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) to support the 

incident; 

• Whether the disaster response has an inherently large-scale life-saving mission; and/or 

• The disaster response appears to be extraordinarily complex. 

In order to maintain posture for emergent incidents, NIMAT will plan for transition and team 

demobilization after lifelines are stabilized or stability is imminent, initial mitigation efforts are in place 

to protect property and the environment, and Regional IMAT or other personnel are in place and able 

to assume operational control. In addition to full team demobilization, specific team members may be 

demobilized early to minimize exposure if a suitable replacement is on site and able to properly support 

existing and future operations.

Urban Search and Rescue Teams

FEMA is actively monitoring the availability of all internal resources to support National Urban Search 

and Rescue (US&R) teams and is conducting contingency planning for both traditional and nontraditional models to meet potential operational needs. The National US&R Response System has 

established procedures, which will be temporarily expanded to enable greater operational capacity 

during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA is prepared to increase capacity by using all levels of potential 

additional resources (e.g., military, state/local search and rescue resources, first responders) to 

include the ability to deliver training and deployment of smaller Type III assets in lieu of Type I teams. 

Disaster Emergency Communications

FEMA’s Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC), being a primary contributor to support restoration 

of communication infrastructure, is postured to deploy Mobile Emergency Response Support

detachments, Mobile Communications Office Vehicles (MCOV), and DEC personnel in a COVID-19 

environment. Increased requirements for and use of Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicles, 

Emergency Operations Vehicles, Incident Response Vehicles, and MCOVs are anticipated to help FEMA 

personnel manage social distancing requirements, including to support personnel working from 

outside state EOC facilities. FEMA will also support requirements for cloth face coverings and

increased hand hygiene for all employees operating within mobile vehicle platforms.

Personnel Augmentation

As always, FEMA intends to leverage local hire support for any emergent disaster operations. If the 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) activates the Surge Capacity Force (SCF), deployment

assignments will follow CDC guidance and maintain FEMA’s posture to minimize travel and direct 

contact, and potentially increase telework flexibilities. FEMA is also developing virtual training and skill 

set assessments for existing SCF members in order to rapidly and efficiently align the thousands of 

available SCF members to meet operational needs. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Contract and Commodity Readiness 

FEMA has prepared for hurricane 

season and other emergent 

incidents by aligning resources, 

awarding contracts, and readying

Logistics personnel for rapid 

response operations. In addition 

to owning and purchasing 

resources, FEMA also has

multiple partnerships with other 

federal agencies such as the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers, the 

Defense Logistics Agency, and 

NGOs such as the American Red 

Cross.

FEMA continues to ensure

Distribution Centers maintain 

commodity levels at, or near, pre-COVID-19 status. FEMA is focusing on rapidly replenishing

commodities used in support of COVID-19 pandemic operations. Based on refined requirements 

implemented following the 2017 hurricane season, FEMA has increased its storage space both inside

and outside of the contiguous United States; trailer fleets have been increased and modernized; and 

staging and distribution plans have been enhanced to increase strategic stockpiling, prepositioning, 

and expedited transportation of commodities to the field. 

Remote Disaster Operations 

While COVID-19 morbidity and mortality persist, FEMA will generally minimize the number of personnel 

deploying to disaster-impacted areas and minimize the number of new field deployments by using

personnel already deployed to the impacted region, including FEMA Integration Team (FIT) members

or other FEMA personnel already working at EOCs, deploying locally-available personnel, and

leveraging remote disaster support. FEMA Regional Administrators, in partnership with FEMA 

Headquarters (HQ), will evaluate risk in their regions and determine the most appropriate approach to 

deployments while considering the guidance and direction of public health officials and the factors 

established in the White House Guidelines.

To support virtual deployments and remote disaster operations, FEMA is planning to:

• Increase communications to the public through social media platforms, virtual townhalls, and 

coordinated messaging to survivors from FEMA officials and SLTT leadership, and ensure that 

all communications are provided in ways that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and 

limited English proficiency; 

• Ensure remote disaster personnel have the most up-to-date policies and procedures, training 

needs are met, and supervisors have the tools needed to appropriately manage employees; 

• Increase availability and deployment options for FEMA personnel to make informed decisions 

on how to support disaster operations while protecting the health and safety of the workforce; 

FEMA Logistics Staff coordinate the transportation of COVID-19 test 

kits arriving through Project Airbridge on April 14, 2020. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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• Continue use of virtual personnel mobilization center process to facilitate rapid deployment of 

personnel and ensure that deployed personnel receive information technology services as 

needed to prepare them to directly support impacted areas; and

• Increase information technology support for remote disaster operations, including, but not 

limited to, remote inspection processes, remote preliminary damage assessments, and 

working with partners to pre-identify accessible technology platforms that can support virtual 

meetings with interagency, private sector, NGOs, and SLTT partners. 

Disaster Facilities

While FEMA will generally minimize 

deployments, some emergent incidents 

may still require disaster facilities and a 

limited field presence. Field leaders, in 

consultation with FEMA regional 

offices, will consider additional safety 

requirements in accordance with SLTT

public health guidance and phased 

reopening when planning for new FEMA 

disaster facilities. When considering 

new facility floorplans and leases, field 

leaders, in coordination with the Unified 

Coordination Group (UCG), FEMA safety

and security personnel, and CDC and 

SLTT public health officials, will develop 

localized mitigation strategies, 

including temperature and health 

screenings, increased cleaning and 

disinfection requirements, and reduced 

personnel footprints for social 

distancing, to ensure the safety and 

security of FEMA personnel and 

partners. When feasible, FEMA will 

employ engineering and administrative controls, such as the use of transparent barriers as appropriate 

and labeling interior floor areas in appropriate areas to encourage proper social distancing. 

Field leaders will use modified personnel plans to assess how many personnel will be deployed to field 

operations and ensure that facility layouts can accommodate CDC guidance and social distancing 

recommendations. FEMA, in coordination with SLTT officials, will provide PPE and/or cloth face 

coverings and other supplies (e.g., hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes) for personnel to use in disaster 

facilities and implement other protective measures, based on the Department of Health and Human 

Services, CDC, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidance and exposure risk levels. 

Additionally, FEMA will adjust Incident Support Base operations to appropriately minimize large 

numbers of personnel and truck operators on site. FEMA will use smaller staging teams, additional 

workspace and facilities to accommodate needed personnel, PPE and/or cloth face coverings, social 

Guidelines for Opening up America Again 

The White House’s Guidelines provide critical 

considerations for FEMA and SLTTs planning for 

disaster operations. Depending on the Guideline 

phase of a disaster-affected jurisdiction (as 

determined by the Governor, tribal, or local 

leadership), FEMA will work with SLTT leadership to 

determine the most appropriate operational posture 

to protect impacted communities and deployed 

personnel. FEMA may adopt a more conservative 

posture than a jurisdiction, but will generally not adopt 

a more relaxed posture.

FEMA has developed a Reconstitution Exercise 

Starter Kit with sample documents that SLTT

departments, agencies, or organizations can use to 

conduct planning workshops on returning to full 

operations. Suggested discussion questions build 

upon reconstitution planning principles and the White 

House’s Guidelines.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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distancing guidance, additional procedures to control entry into staging sites, and incorporate new 

documentation requirement processes as needed to minimize exposure. 

To ensure workforce safety, FEMA will work with SLTT partners to address: 

• Facility specifications, which shall include the requirement for a co-location of organizational 

elements across a sufficient space capable of allowing for social distancing of six feet (as 

appropriate); 

• Instruction on the use of cloth face coverings to personnel delivering to or working in any 

operational disaster facilities;

• Policy modifications that may be needed to accommodate employees with disabilities in 

accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance; 

• Guidance for individuals instructed not to enter FEMA facilities (e.g., persons tested positive 

for COVID-19 or symptomatic and not cleared to return to work); 

• Temperature and health screening procedures prior to entry at all facilities or sites; 

• Cleaning and disinfection procedures, including high touch areas such as computer 

equipment, telephones, clipboards, paperwork, door handles, and bathrooms; and

• Safe movement of personnel in potentially high physical transfer areas, such as distribution 

centers, fueling stations, high density office areas, enclosed spaces, congregate housing, 

hospitals, and public areas. 

SLTT Response Planning 

The Nation’s emergency 

management system is most 

successful when it is locally 

executed, state managed, and 

federally supported. Jurisdictions

across the country are 

responsible for leading efforts to

stabilize community lifelines, 

distributing commodities and 

resources to meet the needs of 

an emergency, and supporting

program delivery. FEMA 

continues to support these 

efforts. Emergency managers 

should begin reviewing existing 

response plans and guidance to 

align, link, and synchronize 

community response actions with 

federal planning efforts like those described in this document and prepare protective measures for 

their disaster workforce and survivors. SLTTs should consider adopting COOP strategies and prepare 

for a variety of potential conditions to account for localized outbreaks, periods of peak COVID-19 

FEMA Leaders and Staff Coordinating with New York City and 

Department of Defense Personnel on May 7, 2020.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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activity, or phased reopening. SLTTs should exercise updated plans via virtual tabletop exercises. 

FEMA programs can provide additional support for training, drills, or products for exercise plans. 

Response Considerations Checklist 

– Do you have a plan to respond if your emergency management agency/department has reduced

staffing due to COVID-19? 

– Have you reviewed and updated your COOP plans to continue essential functions and tasks with little 

to no interruption? 

– Do you have a plan to prioritize resources to stabilize the communication lifeline?

– Do you have a plan to determine which personnel must be physically deployed to the field and how 

they will be protected?

– Does your emergency management agency/department have an established senior liaison with the 

senior public health officer for your jurisdiction to ensure current, timely public heath advice? 

– Have you implemented CDC’s Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE? 

– Have you purchased and stockpiled medical-grade PPE for those who need it according to CDC 

guidelines? 

– Have you purchased and stockpiled cloth face coverings?

– Do hospitals in evacuation zones have a plan to not only evacuate patients, but also ventilators, 

dialysis machines, and stockpiled PPE?

– Do you have a plan for a high-risk population (e.g., nursing home residents, people with disabilities, 

people requiring evaluation assistance, people experiencing homelessness) that has an ongoing 

outbreak and needs to be evacuated?

– Do you have a system that can collect and share data to support decision-making around community 

lifelines?

– Have you developed communication materials accessible to people with access and functional 

needs (e.g., deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have low vision, people with an intellectual disability, 

people with low literacy, limited English proficient persons, older adults) that address hurricane 

preparedness while under the threat of COVID-19 in your communities?

– Have you considered the extra time it may take to evacuate given the need for social distancing for 

increased mass transit modes (e.g., buses) may require?

 See Appendix B and Appendix C for additional Preparedness and Response checklist considerations 

Operational Coordination and Communications

SLTTs should review existing response operations plans and consider:

• Leveraging efforts underway for COVID-19 response, including maintaining current command 

and control roles and responsibilities.

• Expanding UCG membership beyond senior leaders to ensure appropriate coordination among 

private sector and public health or medical leadership for the scope and nature of the incident, 

and better enable jurisdictions to jointly manage and direct incident activities through 

establishment of common incident objectives, strategies, and a single incident action plan.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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• Emphasizing stabilization of the communication lifeline as operational adaptations include or 

may rely heavily on virtual coordination, including the ability to work directly with FEMA’s 

virtually deployed personnel. 

• Preparing for COVID-19 impacts to community lifeline stabilization and the interdependencies 

between lifelines, especially those that may already be significantly impacted, like the health 

and medical lifeline.

• Utilizing EMPG-S funding to strengthen decision-support capabilities through the collection, 

analysis, and sharing of data.

• Preparing for an increased need for accessible and multi-lingual messaging and 

communications through available media, wireless emergency communications, and use of 

virtual townhalls for coordinated communications to survivors from SLTT leadership, FEMA 

officials, and others. 

• Reviewing and updating existing Orders of Succession and Delegations of Authority for key 

leadership and personnel.

• Preparing state national guard forces and associated resources for potential deployment to 

support during disaster operations while in a COVID-19 environment. 

• Engaging community-based partners that support and serve persons with disabilities, limited 

English proficient persons, low income communities, communities of color, and houses of 

worship to formalize partnerships to meet the needs among these populations and ensure the 

equitable and impartial delivery of disaster assistance.

Commodities and Points of Distribution 

Point of Distribution (POD) operations will continue to be state, territory, and/or tribal-led and operated 

with federal support where required. SLTTs should review existing plans and consider:

• Utilizing EMPG-S funding to strengthen contracts, if needed, to provide medical-grade PPE, 

cloth face coverings, and necessary commodities during disaster operations, especially if 

available resources have been allocated to COVID-19 response. 

• Determining alternate options for locating and procuring critical resources if traditional 

methods for procurement of needed response and recovery supplies may not be feasible.

• Reinforcing the supply chain through preservation, expansion of warehouse footprints, and 

stockpiling mission-critical materials.

• Adjusting planned POD sites to accommodate operational adaptations for the COVID-19 

environment, including considerations for significantly increased demand, social distancing, 

and regulated traffic flow. 

• Reviewing and evaluating current mutual aid agreements and Emergency Management 

Assistance Compact (EMAC) mission-ready packages to assess if available resources may be 

limited due to COVID-19 operations and consider virtual EMAC agreements when possible. 

• Reviewing alternative commodity distribution sites that can be used to limit direct contact 

between personnel and survivors, and ensuring commodity distribution sites have plans in 

place to provide services to people with disabilities. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

10

• Incorporating federal POD Monitor to assist with burn rate management and resupply efforts 

that may also be impacted.

• Altering plans to limit physical points where communities will congregate and preparing for 

restricted/diminished support from NGOs for commodity distribution. 

Staffing and Workforce Protection Planning

SLTTs should review existing plans for workforce protective measures to support personnel who will 

be deployed to the field and associated disaster facilities and consider:

• Increasing membership of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Medical 

Reserve Corps (MRC), and conducting associated volunteer training virtually, as necessary, to 

ensure the health and safety of its members. 

• Reviewing the readiness of typical disaster support personnel (e.g., first responders, logistical 

personnel, health and medical personnel) who may already be deployed to ongoing operations. 

• Procuring and distributing PPE and workforce protective measures for personnel required to 

be in the field, including first responders, search and rescue teams, logistics support, and 

health and medical professionals. 

• Implementing safety measures at disaster facilities to include temperature and health 

screenings, facility cleaning and disinfection measures, and social distancing requirements for 

on-site personnel. 

• Ensuring personnel can continue to respond if the emergency management agency or 

department has reduced staffing due to COVID-19.

• Providing additional telework flexibilities and remote disaster support strategies that can be 

integrated with FEMA remote disaster operations, if needed, and plan to minimize disaster 

facility personnel. 

• Planning for virtual coordination with federal partners, bolstering communications and 

information technology support for remote operations, and pre-identifying approved 

technology platforms that can be used for increased virtual meeting capabilities among SLTTs, 

FEMA officials, federal interagency partners, volunteer organizations, and the private sector.

Evacuation Planning

SLTTs should review evacuation plans and consider:

• Assessing community demographics and identifying areas facing high risk, including 

considerations for those under stay-at-home orders, at higher risk of serious complications 

from COVID-19, individuals with disabilities, and others with access and functional needs. 

• Reviewing clearance times and decision timelines, with COVID-19 planning considerations, 

such as mass care and sheltering plans.

• Considering impacts of business closures/restrictions along evacuation routes; limited 

restaurant/lodging availability will place extra stress on state and local officials and may 

require unprecedented assistance to travelers. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

11

• Maintaining availability of mass transit and paratransit services that provide a transportation 

option for those individuals who are unable to use the fixed-route bus or rail system for 

evacuation of people with disabilities in accordance with CDC guidance and social distancing 

requirements. 

• Using EMPG-S funding to modify evacuation plans to account for limited travel options and 

increased time needed for evacuation of health care facilities.

• Targeting evacuation orders and communication messages to reduce the number of people 

voluntarily evacuating from areas outside a declared evacuation area. 

• Developing communication plans for communities likely impacted by hurricane season or 

other emergent incidents for any updates or alterations to evacuation strategies, and ensuring 

communications are provided in a way that is accessible to people with disabilities and limited 

English proficiency. 

• Reviewing available alternate care sites and federal medical stations as potential evacuation 

sites or longer-term solution for hospitals and medical facilities, if needed, and considering 

staffing needed to support facilities. 

• Determining logistics and resource requirements to support government-assisted evacuations.

• Reviewing, expanding, and/or establishing agreements with NGOs, agencies, volunteers, and 

private sector vendors that will be needed for evacuee support and ensuring partners are 

prepared to deliver services in a COVID-19 environment. 

• Engaging with neighboring states and jurisdictions to coordinate cross-border movement of 

evacuees in large-scale evacuations.

• Developing host jurisdiction sheltering agreements.

Recovery Planning for 2020 Hurricane Season 

Given the complexity of operations in a COVID-19 environment, some aspects of recovery planning and 

posture will change to ensure the safety of disaster survivors and emergency managers. SLTTs should 

be prepared to lead flexible recovery operations based on FEMA’s adapted posture and procedures 

for implementing disaster assistance and program delivery. Given the increased use of remote 

processes for recovery operations, SLTTs should also be prepared to coordinate through virtual 

communications, anticipate alternative methods to verify applicant eligibility, and ensure the public is 

aware of these modifications. Successful recovery will require that FEMA, SLTTs, NGOs, and private 

sector partners coordinate planning efforts to adapt standard processes and procedures for 

synchronized recovery. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

12

FEMA’s Current Recovery Posture 

FEMA will continue to coordinate technical assistance and recovery operations through FEMA regions 

in partnership with SLTTs, NGOs, and the private sector, including Voluntary Agency Coordination 

support to non-governmental, faith-based, non-profit, humanitarian, philanthropic, and communitybased organizations that provide the wrap-around and social services necessary for effective SLTT 

response and recovery. While the 

level of technical assistance will 

remain the same, SLTTs should 

be prepared to adapt to remote 

coordination. For operations in a 

COVID-19 environment, FEMA 

will adapt its traditional field 

operations and program delivery 

models to expedite services, 

support, and assistance to SLTT 

partners. 

Mass Care/Emergency 

Assistance

The operational realities of the 

COVID-19 environment will 

require adaptations to many 

aspects of the Mass Care and 

Emergency Assistance service 

areas, particularly all stages of 

sheltering assistance. Due to the 

risks associated with COVID-19 

and congregate sheltering, 

including standards for 

occupancy rates, equipment 

requirements, and assessment 

of at-risk or vulnerable 

populations, this approach will be 

adjusted. Recognizing some 

congregate sheltering will still be 

necessary in many hurricane 

scenarios, FEMA will support 

SLTT partners and NGOs to 

mitigate risks and support efforts

consistent with public health 

guidance. 

Given the changes to noncongregate shelter support this 

hurricane season, FEMA regions 

Use of Non-Congregate Shelters in 2020 Hurricane Season 

In an emergency or major disaster declaration that 

authorizes Public Assistance (PA), Category B, Emergency 

Protective Measures, FEMA will adjust polices to allow 

SLTTs to execute non-congregate sheltering in the initial 

days of an incident. Non-congregate shelters include, but 

are not limited to, hotels, motels, and dormitories. FEMA

Regional Administrators will have delegated authority to 

approve requests for non-congregate sheltering for 

hurricane-specific disasters for the 2020 season. 

While not a single solution, this funding will assist with 

sheltering operations in the short-term. SLTTs will need to 

work with FEMA and NGO partners to determine how noncongregate options can be incorporated into larger 

sheltering plans. 

SLTTs should coordinate with FEMA regions to:

• Ensure adequate sheltering plans are in place and 

coordinated, including consideration of contractual 

agreements and federal funds (if required) in 

accordance with federal procurement standards. 

• Plan for appropriate scope and duration for sheltering 

resources based on anticipated needs. 

• Ensure that data, documentation, and tracking 

mechanisms are in place.

• Plan appropriate accessibility considerations for people 

with disabilities, and those with functions and access 

needs, and ensure adequate availability of such 

resources. 

As part of the sheltering plan, SLTTs should outline a 

transition from non-congregate sheltering to alternate 

options, including Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)

for eligible applicants if a major disaster declaration is 

approved, or for a timely termination when non-congregate 

sheltering is no longer needed. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

13

will assist in planning and providing additional technical assistance. Recognizing the timing and 

potentially greater need for non-congregate sheltering, FEMA will work with SLTT partners to provide 

greater flexibility for the eligibility of both congregate and non-congregate options for reimbursement 

under the PA program. 

In addition, FEMA, along with federal partners and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

partners will continue to provide mass care technical support to SLTTs for the following: 

• Planning for protective measures for all mass care personnel and survivors; 

• Planning for additional needs at shelters for supplies and material for cleaning, disinfection,

and social distancing;

• Developing strategies for how shelf-stable meals and other feeding commodities can be used 

to supplement initial primary feeding requirements and/or serve as primary feeding options; 

• Planning for resource requirements for individuals and households who arrive at shelters 

without medical equipment, medical prescriptions and/or supplies, personal assistance 

services (caregivers), and cloth face coverings;

• Developing strategies to address health screening criteria (e.g., positive, presumptive positive, 

symptomatic, known exposure) upon arrival at a congregate shelter and procedures if a case 

is identified;

• Planning for protective measures at sheltering locations, to include health screening, social 

distancing requirements, cleaning and disinfection, and quarantine or isolation areas, as 

needed;

• Considerations for shelter staffing options outside of volunteers, as resources may not be 

available; 

• Planning for feeding strategies for survivors sheltering in place and those located in noncongregate shelters in accordance with CDC guidance and social distancing requirements; 

• Planning for timely demobilization of sheltering resources when they are no longer needed 

based on the impact or forecasted impact of an incident; 

• Planning for necessary information collection and tracking; and

• Planning for possible modifications to how federal mass care personnel support evacuees, 

including, but not limited to:

o Transportation to evacuation points/congregate/non-congregate shelters; 

o Supporting health screenings of staff and clients entering facilities; 

o Supporting COVID-19 isolation/medical care shelters; 

o Triage of vulnerable populations processed into non-congregate options; 

o Coordination of workforce lodging across agencies and responder organizations to 

prioritize hotel access for non-congregate sheltering; and

o Pet sheltering. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

14

Virtual Preliminary Damage Assessments 

To ensure workforce protection, FEMA regions 

may elect to utilize virtual or desktop 

Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) 

options. Virtual PDAs may include use of 

aerial imagery (as appropriate), Hazus,3

resident or SLTT submitted data, 

documentation, photos, and local emergency 

manager detailed and verified statements to 

document damages as accurately as possible 

as opposed to conducting physical, in-person 

assessments to validate cost, work, facility, 

and applicant eligibility. Regions will work with

SLTTs to determine the appropriate type of 

PDA process given the level of public health 

emergency, which may vary across counties based on localized hotspots. If personnel deploy to the 

field, FEMA will use as few personnel as possible to ensure social distancing and may rely on 

windshield assessments to complete the PDA process in a timely manner.

Disaster Survivor Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers 

FEMA, in coordination with SLTT 

partners, will determine the use 

of Disaster Recovery Centers

(DRC) or Disaster Survivor 

Assistance (DSA) teams 

according to the phased 

reopening of an impacted area. 

In areas with limited field 

presence, FEMA will use online 

and phone registration and 

virtual assessments to ensure 

program delivery. If phone lines 

are down, FEMA will prioritize 

stabilizing the communication 

lifeline in order to restore 

networks and support 

registration processes. FEMA 

will also coordinate with federal 

and voluntary agency partners 

3 Hazus is a nationally applicable standardized methodology that contains models for estimating potential 

losses from earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Hazus uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 

technology to assist government planners and emergency managers in estimating physical, economic, and 

social impacts of disasters.

FEMA Disaster Registration Methods 

In areas with a limited field presence, FEMA will 

continue to use its primary registration methods via 

an online website (www.DisasterAssistance.gov) 

and telephone services (800-621-FEMA). These 

methods account for most registrations and 

continue to be successful in limited or degraded 

communication environments. FEMA will work with 

local officials and the media to encourage people 

to leverage digital registration capabilities. 

FEMA personnel and disaster survivors at a DRC during Hurricane 

Michael depicts limited potential for social distancing measures using 

standard facility footprints. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

15

to promote digitally available disaster recovery resources, support, and referral services, as well as to 

ensure service delivery methods are accessible and widely promoted for individuals with disabilities. 

If DRCs and DSA team support are requested by the state, territory, or tribal nation, and FEMA 

determines it is consistent with phased reopening guidelines, FEMA will consult with SLTT public health 

officials on local requirements. In DRCs, FEMA will implement additional health and safety measures 

based on current CDC guidance, such as requiring cloth face coverings (if appropriate), hand hygiene,

and social distancing measures. 

Individual and Households Programs and Direct Housing 

FEMA does not anticipate major changes in program eligibility, timeliness of grant awards, or the level 

of assistance provided under the Individual and Households Program. However, the delivery 

mechanisms of certain aspects of the program will be modified. 

FEMA will utilize remote inspections and field work to evaluate damage as much as possible, with the 

goal of expediting the delivery of recovery assistance. FEMA will only conduct remote inspections on 

homes where occupants have indicated a certain degree of damage upon registration. For applicants 

who self-report minor damage and can remain in the home, FEMA will determine whether an inspection 

is necessary, enabling FEMA to focus its limited resources on those with the greatest need. 

These remote inspections and field work,

consistent with eligibility, will support 

numerous programs including Rental 

Assistance, Home Repair Assistance, 

Replacement Assistance, Other Needs 

Assistance for Personal Property, and 

Assistance for Miscellaneous Items. 

Types of Other Needs Assistance that do 

not require an inspection, including 

childcare, transportation, medical and 

dental, funeral expenses, moving and 

storage, and procurement of Group 

Flood Insurance Policies, will be 

administered as normal. Clean and 

Removal Assistance will not be authorized in disasters that utilize remote inspections. 

Direct Housing

FEMA does not anticipate changing the criteria necessary for approving a request for Direct Housing. 

However, given the challenges associated with implementing some forms of Direct Housing in a COVID19 environment, FEMA may rely more on certain forms of temporary housing (i.e., rental assistance) 

and non-congregate sheltering. For new disasters that are approved for Direct Housing, FEMA will 

prioritize the placement of Transportable Temporary Housing Units on private sites and the use of 

Direct Lease. 

Community Services Programs

Request processes and the criteria for Community Services Programs (Crisis Counseling, Disaster 

Unemployment, Disaster Case Management, and Disaster Legal Services) remain unchanged. The 

Remote Inspection Assistance 

For remote inspections, FEMA inspectors will contact 

applicants and complete the standard onsite inspection 

process by phone. Reasonable accommodations, 

including translation and American Sign Language

interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to 

ensure effective communication with applicants with 

limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and 

functional needs. FEMA will also work to provide flexibility 

to applicants who need to provide documentation within 

certain timeframes.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

16

delivery of these programs will be remote as much as possible. This includes the use of crisis 

counseling hotlines; socializing information through various forms of media; delivering leaflets, 

brochures, or other educational materials to disaster survivors; and providing all services and 

communications in an accessible manner for individuals with disabilities. 

Public Assistance 

The basic principles, application 

procedures, eligibility, and 

award mechanisms of the PA 

program will remain unchanged. 

However, most PA work will be 

conducted virtually. Recipients 

should be prepared to conduct 

virtual applicant briefings, with

virtual participation by FEMA.

The Recovery Scoping Meeting 

to develop the Program Delivery 

Plan and discuss damage 

inventory will also be conducted 

remotely. Recipients and 

subrecipients should be 

prepared for virtual applicant 

engagement to work through 

program delivery, formulate 

projects, and upload 

documentation. 

FEMA will conduct inspections 

remotely whenever possible. 

While remote inspections may 

not be possible for all applicants, 

the dual use of remote and inperson inspections expedites 

the delivery of recovery 

assistance to grant recipients

and reduces the number of 

personnel required in the field. 

For some incidents, FEMA may 

still deploy PA personnel to 

perform specific activities, such as critical infrastructure stabilization coordination or just-in-time site 

inspections, which cannot be completed virtually. FEMA will continue to provide technical assistance 

to grant recipients and applicant personnel through virtual training, job aids, online how-to videos, the 

Grants Portal Hotline, virtual mentorships, and remote customer assistance. 

PA Program Delivery in a COVID-19 Environment 

Operational Planning

• Applicant Briefings – Encourage virtual briefings

• Request for Public Assistance – No change 

• Staff and Operational Planning – Mix of virtual and, if 

required, minimized personnel requested

• Exploratory Call – No change 

• Recovery Scoping Meeting – Encourage remote 

meetings and, if required, minimized personnel 

presence

Damage Intake and Eligibility Analysis

• Applicant Engagement – Encourage virtual 

engagement and, if required, minimized personnel 

presence

• Damage identification, Essential Elements of 

Information, and Project Formulation – No change

• Conducting Site Inspections – Likely encourage 

virtual/ tabletop inspections with minimized personnel 

presence

Scoping and Costing 

• Grant Development – No change

Final Reviews 

• Field and Final Reviews – No change

Obligation and Recovery Transition 

• Project Obligation – No change

• Recovery Transition Meeting – Conducted remotely
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

17

Hazard Mitigation 

FEMA is taking proactive steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic to help serve its National Flood 

Insurance Program (NFIP) customers who may be experiencing financial hardships. One example of 

this is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days. Additionally, 

the NFIP has issued guidance to the Write Your Own companies and NFIP Direct on remote claims 

handling. FEMA is currently developing new methods to improve program delivery, including extension 

of application deadlines and Periods of Performance, and also granting a 12-month extension to meet 

the hazard mitigation plan requirements for local and tribal governments that apply for FEMA hazard 

mitigation assistance grants, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). FEMA regions 

continue to provide technical assistance to SLTTs to meet the hazard mitigation plan requirements in 

order to be eligible for certain FEMA assistance programs, such as HMGP, Building Resilient 

Infrastructure and Communities, High Hazard Potential Dams Rehabilitation Grants, and Flood 

Mitigation Assistance. 

Though aspects of the Hazard Mitigation (HM) Program delivery are typically highly dependent on 

personal interaction (e.g., Community Education and Outreach), FEMA can conduct mitigation 

interviews with Individual Assistance (IA)-registered survivors through a dedicated phone line or use a 

model similar to remote flood insurance claim adjustments to continue providing services to disaster 

survivors. HM’s Flood Insurance personnel will also conduct virtual visits with insurance agents in 

disaster-impacted areas to promote the NFIP and its benefits, rather than in-person office visits. HM’s 

Floodplain Management personnel will also conduct virtual visits with State Floodplain Coordinators 

and Local Floodplain Administrators in disaster-impacted communities to provide technical assistance 

and ensure ordinance compliance, as needed. FEMA may deploy HM personnel to carry out 

infrastructure inspections, among other critical assignments. FEMA may also deploy HM or contract 

personnel to support local, substantial damage inspections as well as produce and share data 

analytics in making as many remote determinations as possible to limit the number of physical 

inspections required. 

Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation 

Many elements of an Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) review, which are 

required for all proposed FEMA grants, will be conducted through desktop analysis of environmental 

considerations (e.g., presence/absence of historic properties or critical habitat for endangered 

species, project requirements associated with special flood hazard areas). However, EHP’s ability to 

conduct in-person site inspections will likely be limited due to COVID-19. Without the full capability to 

conduct site visits, EHP will rely more heavily on site-specific critical information to be provided by 

FEMA grant programs and applicants in order to understand the environmental and historic 

preservation resources present. Therefore, applicants should be prepared to provide adequate 

documentation to facilitate remote inspection and evaluation of proposed project sites when possible. 

FEMA may require in-person site visits for EHP activities, such as biological or archaeological 

monitoring, depending on specific conditions present at a given location, and will work with FEMA 

Grant Program personnel and applicants to ensure that these requirements are met safely. 

Public participation requirements found in several EHP laws and regulations, sometimes in the form 

of public meetings, may also be modified to ensure effective public comment is facilitated safely. 

Additional actions may be delayed or deferred on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the incident-
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

18

specific Regional Environmental Officer and the Director of the Office of Environmental Planning and 

Historic Preservation in conjunction with the State Coordinating Officer. 

Interagency Recovery Coordination 

Regional and national Interagency Recovery Coordination will continue to prioritize the coordination of 

assistance in support of SLTT recovery outcomes in the following ways: 

• Ensuring clear communication and comprehensive, accessible information about available 

assistance leveraging existing information sharing platforms;

• Streamlining and/or simplifying the application and delivery processes;

• Aligning policies to streamline access to funding sources; 

• Actively coordinating among federal partners to reduce duplication, waste, and fraud; 

• Coordinating with federal partners to share information on promising practices for sequencing 

federal funds to maximize impacts on SLTT recovery goals and outcomes; and

• Developing and sharing SLTT recovery “self-help” tools.

FEMA will consolidate coordination and recovery management support at the regional level throughout 

hurricane season to better serve all disaster operations in achieving SLTT outcomes. This approach 

will allow partners to streamline and enhance consistent support across multiple operations. The 

Recovery Support Function Leadership Group is supporting the coordination of assistance among 

partner agencies at the national level to resolve operational and policy challenges as needed. 

SLTT Recovery Planning 

Based on FEMA’s planned operating posture and impacts to a community from COVID-19 prior to a 

follow-on incident, SLTT partners may need to consider revising recovery operational plans, long-term 

recovery objectives, and pre-disaster recovery plans. SLTTs should coordinate with FEMA regions if 

there are questions on implementing any new policies or delivery methods for FEMA recovery programs 

and prepare for FEMA to rely more heavily on virtually deployed personnel. 

Furthermore, FEMA recommends that state, tribal, and territorial leadership establish coordination 

and management mechanisms that could be used across multiple incidents and that focus support 

on achieving state, tribal, and territorial goals and outcomes. State governors as well as tribal and 

territorial leaders may consider appointing a State Disaster Recovery Coordinator (SDRC) or Tribal 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator (TDRC) to lead recovery coordination activities for a jurisdiction. SDRCs 

and/or TDRCs could lead the recovery organization, recovery priority setting, and serve as the 

jurisdiction’s primary point of contact with the state and federal agencies to explore and resolve unmet 

recovery needs. If a SDRC or TDRC is currently leading the COVID-19 recovery effort, close coordination 

with FEMA regions will enable better assistance.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

19

Recovery Considerations Checklist 

– Do you have reopening and reconstitution criteria that support opening of businesses damaged by a 

hurricane and/or tropical storm that is also impacted by COVID-19 restrictions?

– Have you identified sufficient congregate shelter space to safely implement social distancing?

– Have you reviewed and incorporated CDC’s Interim Guidance for General Population Disaster Shelters 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic into sheltering plans and strategies?

– Do you have a plan to conduct health screenings of evacuees that may enter sheltering locations?

– Do you have a medical care plan for those evacuees that meet screening criteria (e.g., positive, 

presumptive positive, symptomatic, known exposure) upon arrival at a congregate shelter?

– Do you have a plan to support virtual PDAs and inspections?

– How will you manage building and housing inspections and re-occupancy procedures given the 

constraints and impacts of COVID-19 (e.g., social distancing)?

– How will you maximize community input and buy-in for your recovery efforts to ensure they are 

delivered in an equitable and impartial manner (e.g., by receiving input from members of low-income 

communities, members of communities of color, persons with disabilities, older adults, persons with 

limited English proficiency)? 

– Can you hold effective public meetings while maintaining social distance? Do you have mechanisms 

to reach isolated or underserved communities?

– Do you have a process to determine eligibility for all relevant funding opportunities? Do you have 

access to associations that can support disaster-related projects?

– Does your jurisdiction’s financial practices and procedures for non-disaster projects follow the same 

practices and procedures for disaster-related projects?

See Appendix D for additional Recovery checklist considerations 

Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Planning

The impacts of COVID-19 will require SLTTs to reassess their mass care plans and strategies. SLTTs 

should work with partners to reassess all aspects of their plans to ensure they can effectively execute 

sheltering and other mass care activities in a pandemic environment in coordination with public health 

officials and updated guidance. SLTT emergency managers should assess which functions they will 

continue to provide during sheltering operations, identify alternate options for maintaining capabilities, 

and determine the availability of voluntary and non-governmental organizations to support human 

services needs in shelters. 

Important readiness measures that jurisdictions can take now include reviewing and re-validating 

emergency operations and sheltering plans; proactively preparing accessible and multi-lingual 

messaging regarding individual and family preparedness; and modifying resource acquisition and 

allocation plans. This should also include identifying COVID-19 high-risk populations that may require 

additional protective measures. SLTTs should also re-emphasize evacuation messaging to focus 

sheltering efforts on only those that have a need to leave their homes. 

SLTTs should review mass care and sheltering plans and consider:
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

20

• Pre-identifying locations and altering sheltering strategies, to include:

o Selecting appropriately sized shelter facilities to support CDC guidance and SLTT public 

health guidance, social distancing requirements, establishment of isolation areas, and

cloth face covering distribution. 

o Leveraging non-congregate sheltering options and working with FEMA on solutions for 

providing sheltering, including considerations for survivors who need isolation but do not 

require hospitalization. 

o Using EMPG-S funding to identify mass care and shelter options that meet CDC guidance 

and mitigate risks to communities and the most vulnerable citizens, such as the elderly, 

those with underlying conditions, and people with disabilities.

o Developing plans to account for the care of individuals requiring additional assistance, 

including vulnerable populations, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and others with 

access and functional needs. 

o Developing a plan to conduct health screenings of staff and evacuees for COVID-19 that 

may enter sheltering locations. 

o Assessing the need for PPE and planning for distribution as needed.

o Planning for evacuees and staff that meet screening criteria (e.g., positive, presumptive 

positive, symptomatic, known exposure) upon arrival at a congregate shelter, including 

establishment of isolation areas for symptomatic survivors and others at congregate 

shelters

o Planning for support to increase pet sheltering as co-habitation may not be a viable option 

due to increased shelter space requirements. 

• Developing accessible, timely, and actionable communication plans for conveying alterations 

to sheltering strategies for communities likely impacted by hurricane season, including for

limited English-proficient persons and people with disabilities. 

• Supporting health and medical systems that are already stressed, with an expectation that 

those emergency services will continue to be taxed into hurricane season, including potential 

exposure of disaster survivors and emergency response personnel in facilities, testing 

requirements, and contact tracing support. 

• Assessing capabilities and available resources within Voluntary Organizations Active in 

Disaster, NGOs, and faith-based organizations to determine any alternative sourcing 

requirements.

• Attempting to fulfill resource requests and resolving logistical issues using existing local 

capabilities, including requesting assistance from local NGOs, local vendors (e.g., 

restaurant/caterer, staffing agency), or options with national-level NGOs.

Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Application Processes 

SLTTs should review recovery operations plans and consider:

• Revising to account for FEMA’s virtual work for IA, PA, and HM programs in a COVID-19 

impacted environment.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

21

• Ensuring familiarity with the PA process and access to the Grants Portal system. 

• Ensuring familiarity with procurement and documentation requirements for PA grants and prepositioning contracts.

• Working to provide support to applicants for new virtual application processes, particularly for 

communities with existing gaps in information technology resources. 

• Reviewing the State-Led Public Assistance Guide and preparing to take on some or all 

customer service, site inspection, and scoping and costing functions. 

SLTT Recovery Process 

FEMA recommends that SLTT partners explore how to modify existing recovery plans and structures to 

not only support current COVID-19 recovery operations and outcomes, but to also accommodate 

potential future disasters. Modification of existing recovery plans and structures will enable SLTTs to 

focus coordination around clear outcomes and goals across disasters, as well as enhance SLTT 

leaders’ ability to pool and target resources for maximum impact.

SLTT leaders should review recovery operations plans and consider:

• Strengthening remote work and virtual inspection processes. 

• Managing PA operations, customer service, and site inspections in accordance with the 

State-Led Public Assistance Guide. 

• Establishing communication best practices, including accessible and multi-lingual 

messaging, and information technology solutions to better facilitate coordination between 

state, tribal, and territory RSF partners and their relevant federal, non-governmental, and 

private sector counterparts. 

• Identifying or developing internal systems to proactively address federal and state 

procurement regulations and processes. 

• Developing or modifying existing plans that include defining essential operations, building staff 

redundancy, and outlining devolution procedures and authorities.

• Strengthening contracts for pre-positioned resources, such as debris removal.

• Working with FEMA regions to obtain guidance in the development of a State Disaster Recovery 

Plan for the jurisdiction to include housing annexes. 

• Accounting for increased recovery efforts to address compounded impacts from COVID-19 and 

a follow-on incident, to include: 

o Economic impact, including impacts to non-essential businesses and loss of livelihood in

the impacted area;

o Long-term impacts to health and social services, increased use of telemedicine

providers, reduced utilization of medical services for chronic conditions, and additional 

need for social services and mental/behavioral health resources; and

o Infrastructure, communication systems, and healthcare restoration given the need to build 

certain core capabilities back better for the future. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

22

 Planning for increased demand for mental/behavioral health support as survivors may 

experience significant distress with the addition of disaster impacts on quarantined

communities.

• Coordinating donation management and assistance (e.g., mapping additional funding, 

preventing duplication of benefits, project sequencing) and identifying overlapping recovery 

goals/outcomes. 

• Evaluating and planning for support to local governments with reduced recovery management 

capacity due to budget shortfalls and reductions in personnel. 

Conclusion 

Given FEMA’s planning and operating posture presented here, emergency managers should review

existing COOP programs and begin increasing planning and posturing with a focus on key changes 

necessitated by the COVID-19 environment. The requirements for social distancing and the ability to 

follow CDC guidance to protect the health and safety of survivors, emergency managers, and other 

response and recovery personnel could impact operational concepts such as sheltering plans, 

commodity distribution, and establishment of disaster facilities. With many FEMA personnel working 

remotely, SLTTs should be prepared to conduct disaster work virtually, including using available media 

to ensure survivors are aware of and understand the changes to the application process, holding 

virtual townhalls throughout response and recovery, and conducting virtual coordination meetings with 

volunteer organizations and the private sector. If the communications lifeline is impacted by follow-on 

incidents, stabilization will be even more essential to support remote work. When additional 

resources—personnel, commodities, contract support, mutual aid—are needed to support changes 

within the COVID-19 environment, SLTTs should begin increasing planning and posturing for these 

eventualities. 

FEMA expects our SLTT partners and fellow emergency managers to problem-solve, act, and do what 

emergency managers do best---coordinate, communicate, and collaborate. As the Nation moves into 

hurricane season, emergency managers will need to lead, innovate, and be resourceful to address 

challenges and adapt disaster operations to meet the needs of survivors in the current environment. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-1

Appendix A: Additional Resources 

All the links referenced in the sections above are collected below for ease of reference.

Preparedness Resources 

 The Federal Government’s official COVID-19 website provides information relevant to individuals, 

households, schools, businesses, health care professionals, health care departments, and 

emergency managers

(https://www.coronavirus.gov/) 

 FEMA’s pandemic resource page for SLTT partners across the emergency management community 

includes:

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/governments) 

─ Best practices and lessons learned from communities across the Nation (NOTE: this collection 

is not exhaustive and is updated regularly)

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/best-practices) 

─ Economic Support and Recovery to address the economic needs of American families, 

workers, and small businesses

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/economic) 

 Other FEMA Resources include: 

─ The CERT website with videos, training materials, and access to the Citizen Responder 

Programs Registration portal

(https://www.ready.gov/cert) 

(https://community.fema.gov/Register)

─ Emergency Management Performance Grant Program and FY2020 Emergency Management 

Performance Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental

(https://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-performance-grant-program) 

─ The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) with guidance for individuals and families to 

strengthen financial preparedness for disasters and emergencies

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/96123) 

─ Emergency Manager Best Practices 

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/best-practices) 

─ Healthcare Facilities and Power Outage

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1566392446802-

cb3f4603ff821158811d3f55f370238e/Healthcare_Facilities_and_Power_Outages.pdf) 

─ Ready.gov/Pandemic personal preparedness site

(https://www.ready.gov/pandemic) 

─ FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-2

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/178291) 

─ Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-25045-

0014/cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_and_maintaining_emerge

ncy_operations_plans_2010.pdf)

─ Continuity Guidance Circular 

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/132130) 

─ Planning Considerations for Organizations in Reconstituting Operations During the COVID-19 

Pandemic

(https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/04/30/planning-considerations-organizationsreconstituting-operations-during-covid) 

─ Healthcare Capacity Building: Alternative Care Sites and Federal Medical Stations

(https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/understanding-acs-and-fms-final.pdf) 

─ Reconstituting Operations Starter Kit

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/188077) 

 The CDC’s COVID-19 website has guidance for keeping individuals, healthcare professionals and 

communities safe: 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) 

─ Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

(https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html)

─ Strategies to optimize the supply of PPE and other equipment

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html) 

─ Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to COVID-19

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-businessresponse.html) 

– Guidance for cleaning and disinfection for households

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaningdisinfection.html) 

– Considerations for employers on cleaning and disinfecting your facility

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html) 

─ What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf) 

– Communication resources and guidance documents

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/guidancelist.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-3

 White House Guidelines for Opening Up America Again

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/#criteria) 

 COVID-19 fact sheets and guidance provide SLTT partners with updated information, including:

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/fact-sheets) 

─ COVID Best Practice Information for SLTT 9-1-1 Call Centers

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1587583826898-

7edfe29901f3025da758b9e29cb7fbb5/2020_04_21_COVID_BP_911Centers_F.pdf) 

 The EMAC website provides information on the all-hazards national mutual aid system 

(https://www.emacweb.org/) 

Response Resources 

 The National Response Framework is a guide to respond to all types of disasters and emergencies

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1582825590194-

2f000855d442fc3c9f18547d1468990d/NRF_FINALApproved_508_2011028v1040.pdf)

─ Response FIOP

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1471452095112-

507e23ad4d85449ff131c2b025743101/Response_FIOP_2nd.pdf)

─ Community Lifelines Implementation Toolkit

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/177222)

 FEMA’s Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices compiles best practices and lessons 

learned from communities fighting COVID-19

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/best-practices)

 COVID-19 fact sheets and guidance provide SLTT partners with updated information, including: 

(https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/fact-sheets)

─ COVID-19 supply chain guidance

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1586011228351-

ee9dd63af03bc879168c827bf922cb90/COVID19SupplyChain.pdf) 

─ COVID-19 SLTT public information guidance

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1587250289402-

3e2e773531d50b09890fe071e042e3e6/2020_04_18_COVID_BP_SLTTPublicInformation.

pdf)

─ Ensuring Civil Rights During the COVID-19 Response

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1586893628400-

f21a380f3db223e6075eeb3be67d50a6/EnsuringCivilRightsDuringtheCOVID19Response.p

df)

─ COVID-19 SLTT 9-1-1 call center guidance
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-4

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1587583826898-

7edfe29901f3025da758b9e29cb7fbb5/2020_04_21_COVID_BP_911Centers_F.pdf)

─ COVID-19 floodplain considerations for temporary critical facilities

(https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/04/13/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemicfloodplain-considerations-temporary-critical) 

─ COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center Guidance

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1588336615101-

0460905692bda72076abdc5943939a09/2020_04_30_COVID_BP_EOC.pdf) 

 Other FEMA Resources include: 

─ The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program

(https://www.fema.gov/radiological-emergency-preparedness-program)

─ FEMA's web-based storm tracking and decision support tool, HURREVAC assists SLTT partners 

with Hurricane Evacuation planning, training, and timely decision-making during response 

operations

(http://hurrevac.com/)

 The CDC COVID-19 website has guidance for keeping individuals, healthcare professionals, and 

communities safe: 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html)

─ Correctional and detention facilities

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidancecorrectional-detention.html)

─ Long-term care facilities and nursing homes

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html)

─ People with disabilities

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-withdisabilities.html)

─ Public health communications

(https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/phcomm-get-your-community-ready.html) 

─ Strategies to mitigate healthcare personnel staffing shortages

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/mitigating-staff-shortages.html) 

─ Strategies to optimize the supply of PPE and other equipment

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html)

 The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 

provides information on securing critical infrastructure during COVID-19

(https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce)
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-5

 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a list of resources useful to emergency managers 

regarding people with disabilities

(https://www.ada.gov/emerg_prep.html) 

 The Department of Labor (DOL) issued DOL COVID Workplace Guidance, in partnership with the 

Department of Health and Human Services, on safe work practices and appropriate PPE based on 

the risk level of exposure

(https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309)

 CISA released the CISA COVID Risk Management to help executives consider physical, supply 

chain, and cybersecurity issues that may arise from the spread of COVID-19

(https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/20_0306_cisa_insights_risk_manageme

nt_for_novel_coronavirus_0.pdf)

 The EMAC website provides information on the all-hazards national mutual aid system

(https://www.emacweb.org/) 

 The National Mass Care Strategy provides COVID-19-related feeding and sheltering guidance

(https://nationalmasscarestrategy.org/category/covid-19/)

 The National Weather Service (NWS) statement addresses tornado shelters during a pandemic

(https://www.wsfa.com/2020/03/22/nws-issues-statement-regarding-tornado-shelters-duringpandemic/)

Recovery Resources 

 National Disaster Recovery Framework 

(https://www.fema.gov/national-disaster-recovery-framework)

─ Recovery FIOP

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1471451918443-

dbbb91fec8ffd1c59fd79f02be5afddd/Recovery_FIOP_2nd.pdf)

─ Mitigation FIOP

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1471450195109-

d68f4bb054782a379b341999317bd123/Mitigation_FIOP_2nd.pdf)

 Other FEMA Guidance includes:

─ Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT)

(https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=90c0c996a5e242a793

45cdbc5f758fc6)

─ Disaster Financial Management Guide

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/187126)

─ Community Recovery Management Toolkit

(https://www.fema.gov/community-recovery-management-toolkit)
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-6

─ Continuity Resource Toolkit

(https://www.fema.gov/continuity-resource-toolkit) 

─ Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guidance

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/177489)

─ Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Pandemic Planning Considerations

(https://nationalmasscarestrategy.org/covid-19-sheltering-guidelines/)

─ Guidance on Planning for Personal Assistance Services in General Population Shelters

(https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/disasterhousing/guidance_plan_ps_gpops.pdf)

─ Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General 

Population Shelters

(https://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/odic/fnss_guidance.pdf)

 The CDC COVID-19 website has guidance for keeping individuals, healthcare professionals and

communities safe:

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html)

─ Homeless service providers

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/plan-preparerespond.html)

─ People with disabilities

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-withdisabilities.html)

─ Public health communications

(https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/phcomm-get-your-community-ready.html)

─ Guidance for General Population Sheltering

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/Guidance-for-Gen-Pop-DisasterShelters-a-Pandemic_cleared_JIC_ADS_final.pdf) 

 The EMAC website provides information on the all-hazards national mutual aid system.

(https://www.emacweb.org/)

 The Hazus website for support on all-hazards risk assessments

(https://www.fema.gov/hazus)

 The Grants Portal System for Public Assistance grantees

(https://grantee.fema.gov/)

 Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1525468328389-

4a038bbef9081cd7dfe7538e7751aa9c/PAPPG_3.1_508_FINAL_5-4-2018.pdf)

 State-Led Public Assistance Guide
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

A-7

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1558538652426-

d4165531878c8c8795551d3a7665d03e/State-Led_PA_Guide_2-1-2019.pdf)

 The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) provides guidance, including:

─ ICMA guidance on public meetings and crisis communications

(https://icma.org/coronavirus-crisis-response-resources-yourcommunity?utm_source=CV19_landing_page&utm_medium=CV19_landing_page&utm_cam

paign=CV19_campaign)

─ Webinar on “Managing Crisis Communications during a Pandemic” 

(https://icma.org/events/free-webinar-managing-crisis-communications-during-covid-19-

pandemic) 

 The Procurement Disaster Assistance Team makes trainings available via webinar.

(https://www.fema.gov/procurement-disaster-assistance-team) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

B-1 

Appendix B: Preparedness Considerations Checklist 

The following considerations are presented here for SLTTs to utilize when modifying the 

preparedness phase of all hazards or hurricane specific plans in the COVID-19 environment. 

Review and Modify 

 Have you reviewed and modified your emergency operations plan to align with COVID-19

guidance, to include social distancing limitations, travel restrictions, fiscal impacts, reduction of 

government services, and potential impacts to your supply chain? 

 Have you reviewed your jurisdiction’s orders concerning any potential shelter-in-place or stay-athome orders? Do any legal considerations require you to adjust your law enforcement, fire, 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or emergency operations? 

 Are you coordinating updates to plans with the whole-community planning partners supporting 

your jurisdiction? 

 Have you reviewed and modified your plans to include special considerations for those with 

access and functional needs in a COVID-19 environment? 

 Have you reviewed and updated your COOP plans to continue essential functions and tasks with 

little to no interruption?

 Have you updated your resource management inventory to make response personnel available 

to support non-COVID-19 response? 

 Have you identified essential personnel, based on organizational essential functions, by 

reviewing your existing or conducting new business process/business impact analyses to 

understand potential shortfalls and limitations?

 Have you identified orders of succession for key personnel and leadership? Do critical tasks and 

decision-making have approved delegations of authority?

 Have you identified alternate sites and capabilities to ensure COOP to include telework?

 Have you reviewed and evaluated current mutual aid agreements and EMAC agreements if 

available resources and/or personnel may be limited due to COVID-19 operations and 

considered virtual support where possible?

(https://www.emacweb.org/) 

Consider and Identify 

 Do the constraints and impacts of COVID-19 within your, and neighboring, jurisdictions warrant 

the expansion of mutual agreements with new partners? 

 Have COVID-19 response and recovery efforts identified new partners, resources, planning 

shortfalls, or solutions to include in emergency operations plans and annexes, including private 

sector partners in grocery, fuel, home mitigation supplies, and medical supplies? 

 Have you considered resourcing secondary emergency management roles and responsibilities to 

support parallel disasters with extended timelines and limited resources? 

 Have you assessed your increased personnel requirements and planned for contingency 

staffing?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

B-2 

 Have you determined if you can use alternate communications, information technology support, 

and remote operations to operate your EOC virtually? 

 Have you explored virtual environment delivery platforms to exercise plans and overcome the

challenges of limited face-to-face training, seminars, and workshops?

 Have you coordinated with public health officials to identify guidelines for workforce response? 

(NOTE: Local conditions will influence decisions that public health officials make regarding 

community-level strategies) 

 Have you considered strategies to keep a disaster from overwhelming 9-1-1 centers, such as 

establishing alternative call lines for non-emergency queries from the public; increasing 

personnel capacity; and/or including the capacity to respond to calls from people who are deaf, 

hard of hearing, without speech, and/or have limited English proficiency? 

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1587583826898-

7edfe29901f3025da758b9e29cb7fbb5/2020_04_21_COVID_BP_911Centers_F.pdf) 

Message and Engage 

 Have you developed and disseminated accessible, multilingual, and culturally appropriate 

messaging to inform the public of changes in expected services or procedures (e.g., changes to 

shelter locations, evacuation routes, available transportation methods) due to impacts from

COVID-19 and ensured the messaging is accessible and available in alternative formats for 

people with disabilities?

 Have you updated pre-scripted messages to incorporate the current recommended PPE posture 

for disaster survivors (e.g., recommend wearing a cloth face covering) and provide deconflicting 

guidance regarding any stay-at-home orders or other guidance?

 Are you prepared to provide accessible multilingual and culturally appropriate messaging on 

increased personal preparedness measures and to encourage your community to evaluate 

personal emergency plans and familiarize themselves with guidance from their local jurisdictions 

related to COVID-19? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/printresources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc

(https://www.ready.gov/pandemic) 

 Have you advised individuals and households to track their critical financial, medical, and 

household information by using the EFFAK tool as a guide?

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/96123) 

 Have you translated relevant materials and messages in languages spoken in your community?

 Have you engaged with public health officials to identify guidelines for workforce response in a 

COVID-19 environment, and to plan for public health support for evacuations and sheltering? 

 Have you identified the essential workforce necessary for continuing critical infrastructure 

viability by using the CISA advisory list as a guide?

(https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

B-3 

 Have you engaged non-profits and small businesses in your jurisdiction to discuss how you would 

respond and recover from a natural hazard event in a COVID-19 environment?

 How will you use accessible, multilingual, and culturally appropriate messaging to communicate 

to employees and stakeholders that normal operations are being resumed?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

C-1

Appendix C: Response Considerations Checklist 

The following considerations are presented here for SLTTs to utilize when modifying the response 

phase of all hazards or hurricane specific plans in the COVID-19 environment.

 Have you purchased and stockpiled appropriate PPE for personnel required to be in the field, 

including shelter management and shelter personnel? 

 Have you considered updating your vendor contracts and agreements to procure and deliver 

supplies and equipment in case of a shortage?

 Have you confirmed your access to HURREVAC, FEMA's web-based storm tracking and decision 

support tool, to view data on National Hurricane Center and NWS forecasts, including forecast

tracking and arrival of tropical storm winds; storm surge modeling; and evacuation clearance 

times under various storm scenarios; to support operational decisions?

(http://hurrevac.com/) 

 Have you modified your evacuation plan to account for limited travel options and hotel 

availability, increased need for health and medical evacuations, financial limitations of the 

general public, and additional impacts from COVID-19? 

 Have you considered the extra time it may take to evacuate given the need for social distancing 

for increased mass transit modes (e.g., buses) may require?

 Have you considered using geographic information system platform planning tools, to include 

FEMA’s RAPT, to identify population characteristics and infrastructure locations that may be 

impacted to help with your evacuation and shelter-in-place planning? 

(https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=90c0c996a5e242a79345c

dbc5f758fc6) 

 Have you considered increasing the membership of CERT, MRC, and associated volunteer 

training? If so, do you have a mechanism to conduct remote recruiting and training?

(https://www.ready.gov/cert) 

 Have you reviewed and modified your logistics contracts to ensure you have adequate PPE and 

necessary commodities during response operations, especially if available resources have been 

allocated to COVID-19 response? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html) 

 Do your continuity plans adequately address how to respond if your agency/department or your 

partner agency has reduced staffing or other capabilities, such as facilities and commodities, 

due to COVID-19? 

 Do you have a plan to integrate FEMA personnel and/or other federal partners into your 

response operations?

 Have you reached out to your critical infrastructure and private sector partners to assess their 

ability to respond to an emergency in a COVID-19 environment? 

 Do you have a designated point of contact and information exchange platform to continue 

coordination with critical infrastructure and private sector partners?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

C-2 

 Have you considered expanded use of aerial imagery and other remote sensing capabilities to 

gain and maintain situational awareness and conduct damage assessments?

 Are any resources needed for a potential response currently unavailable or in short supply? Have 

you reached out to your EMAC or private sector partners for assistance and to discuss resource 

availability based on existing contracts and mutual aid agreements? 

(https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/EMACoverviewForNRF.pdf) 

 Does your EOC have enough information technology personnel to support increased numbers of 

remote emergency responders? Are they trained to work remotely and support remote work for 

extended periods on multiple disasters?

 Have you considered how your planning goals and objectives would be altered if resources are 

diverted for COVID-19?

 Have you established a Business Emergency Operations Center that can coordinate and 

collaborate with the private sector and the National Business Emergency Operations Center? 

Safety and Security 

 With the potential of decreased law enforcement availability, have you reviewed your contingency 

plans for on-site security?

 Have you considered COOP plans and ways to deliver essential government functions in a COVID19 environment if conditions are further degraded by another disaster event? 

 Have you reviewed your evacuation and sheltering plans for correctional facilities? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidancecorrectional-detention.html) 

 How will you manage re-occupancy procedures given the constraints and impacts of COVID-19 

(e.g., social distancing)? What agencies will need to be involved?

 Have you coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions to discuss impacts on access and reoccupancy procedures due to COVID-19?

 Have you coordinated with pass-through, host, and sending jurisdictions to verify that 

agreements to support and execute potential evacuations to accommodate COVID-19 

considerations (or made any necessary updates) are in place? 

 Are your special operations teams (e.g., Urban Search and Rescue, HazMat) still mission 

capable, and have they adopted CDC guidelines for PPE and training?

 Have you identified potential sites for disaster facilities that are consistent with CDC guidance

and social distancing requirements and coordinated leasing requirements if needed?

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html) 

Food, Water, Shelter 

 Have you considered how personnel shortfalls may impact your shelter operations? 

 How do social distancing considerations affect current shelter capacity? 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

C-3 

 Have you coordinated with public health officials in your jurisdiction regarding evacuation and 

shelter safety, infection control, and planning? 

 Do sheltering and feeding plans incorporate social distancing guidelines and PPE requirements 

outlined by the National Mass Care Strategy? 

(https://nationalmasscarestrategy.org/category/covid-19/) 

 Have you confirmed that public shelters you normally rely upon will be available in the aftermath 

of an incident (i.e., have schools been removed from use)? 

(https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/assets/File/aboutams/statements_pdf/StatementTornadoShelt

eringPandemics.pdf) 

 Have you considered identifying additional shelter locations, including in areas accessible to 

public transportation and/or in places accessible to low income communities, to reduce shelter 

density and promote social distancing? 

 Have you explored options such as non-congregate sheltering (e.g., dormitories, hotels)? If so, 

have you developed a list of participating facilities, including in areas accessible to public 

transportation and/or in places accessible to low income communities? 

 Considering current sheltering options, do individuals with access and functional needs, 

including individuals with disabilities, require additional sheltering resources and assistance in a 

COVID-19 environment? 

 Have you evaluated the abilities and willingness of whole-community partners to operate or 

support mass care/sheltering in a COVID-19 environment? 

 Have you coordinated with non-governmental and volunteer organizations to discuss changes in 

receipt, distribution, and delivery of commodities and services (e.g., food, donations, muck out) 

to incorporate any social distancing limitations?

 Have you assessed your eligibility to apply for assistance for the purchase and distribution of 

food in response to COVID-19? 

(https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/04/12/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-purchaseand-distribution-food-eligible-public) 

 Are issues and status updates in supply chain and logistics of food and water identified and 

regularly communicated to appropriate partners for action?

 Have cleaning, disinfection, and sanitizing schedules increased, and are they actively monitored 

by designated sheltering facility personnel? 

 Do your registration, health screening, and isolation care areas provide adequate physical 

separation (e.g., areas for potential temperature screening)? 

 Have you included temperature and health screening in your screening protocol for upon arrival 

at mass care shelters? Do you have adequate temperature screening equipment and PPE to 

support your health screening protocols?

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/Guidance-for-Gen-Pop-DisasterShelters-a-Pandemic_cleared_JIC_ADS_final.pdf) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

C-4 

 Have you included COVID-19 testing in your screening protocol for mass care shelters if an 

evacuee meets criteria (e.g., symptoms, known exposure)? Do you have adequate PPE and 

testing kits to support your screening protocols?

 Do you need to increase your supply of hand hygiene products (soap, paper towels, hand

sanitizer, etc.) and disinfection and sanitizing products in shelters in a COVID-19 environment? 

Health and Medical 

 Do you have an alternative staffing or recruitment strategy for healthcare professionals in the 

event of a reduction of personnel availability? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/mitigating-staff-shortages.html) 

 Do your healthcare, alternate care, and long-term care facilities have adequate, functional, and 

fueled emergency generators and a plan to keep emergency power systems operational during 

an emergency to reduce patient movement? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html) 

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1566392446802-

cb3f4603ff821158811d3f55f370238e/Healthcare_Facilities_and_Power_Outages.pdf) 

 Do your triage protocols and procedures facilitate efficient patient processing to reduce personto-person contact, increase social distancing, and reduce the amount of time patients are in the 

triage area? 

 Have you identified additional in-patient locations in the event of patient overflow to 

accommodate the need for physical separation in a COVID-19 environment?

 Have you reviewed or updated as necessary personal, family, or staff care plans for sustained 

emergency response operations? 

 Have you coordinated with multi-disciplinary psychosocial support teams (e.g., social workers, 

mental health professionals, counselors, interpreters, patient service coordinators, clergy) to 

provide virtual support to patients, families, and medical personnel? 

 Do you have sufficient information technology infrastructure and support to accommodate virtual 

coordination and support?

 Does your community have an established, streamlined process for information delivery and 

exchange between hospital administration, personnel, and, if required, governmental officials to 

facilitate situational awareness? 

 Can your mass casualty management plans accommodate an increased number of fatalities? 

Have you identified additional contingencies for mortuary affairs management in a COVID-19

environment? 

 Have you encouraged hospitals and other health care facilities to develop and maintain an 

updated inventory of PPE and other equipment? Do these facilities have a shortage-alert system 

with identified and well socialized triggers and associated actions to mitigate potential issues? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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 To ensure equal access to information and resources, are key messages presented to patients, 

personnel, and the public in a variety of accessible formats (e.g., audio, visual, sign language, 

braille, multiple languages, culturally appropriate)? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/phcomm-get-your-community-ready.html) 

 Do you have coordinated plans in place to evacuate or shelter patients in place in Federal 

Medical Stations and Alternate Care Sites in your jurisdiction?

(https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/understanding-acs-and-fms-final.pdf) 

(https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/acs-toolkit-ed1-20200330-1022.pdf) 

Energy (Power and Fuel) 

 Do energy sector partners have adequate staffing to generate, transmit, and distribute power 

and fuel to the community in the event of sick workers or family care needs? Have you identified 

surge support for emergency operations? 

 How long would it take to restore power in a COVID-19 environment, considering the potential for 

reduced available staffing? 

 Are damage assessments needed in this response? Can they be conducted virtually? How can 

your agency/jurisdiction limit personnel to allow for social distancing if damage assessments 

need to be done?

 Does your plan for potential emergency repairs for energy infrastructure account for COVID-19 

social distancing or PPE needs?

 Has COVID-19 affected the supply of fuel in your jurisdiction (e.g., less people driving disrupting 

gas demand)? 

 Does your jurisdiction have plans for priority power restoration for individuals with disabilities 

and health conditions that require power for life sustainment?

 Have changes in commercial trucking procedures affected your fuel distribution plan? Are you 

coordinating with representatives of the commercial trucking industry to ensure your needs are 

met?

Communications 

 Have you and your response partners recently tested primary, alternate, contingency, and 

emergency communications capabilities? 

 Have you evaluated your ability to send public announcements, and are the systems fully 

operational (e.g., mass notification systems, internet, radio, television, cable systems)?

 Have you verified the number of Integrated Public Alert & Warning System alerting authorities 

within your jurisdiction and worked to close any gaps in alerting authority coverage?

 Do you have a system to collect and share data to support decision-making and facilitate 

development of a common operating picture for multiple response operations?

 Have you considered converting town hall meetings and press conferences to accessible and 

multilingual virtual platforms, or requiring cloth face coverings (if appropriate) and social 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

C-6 

distancing if they are conducted in person, and made provisions for accessibility for either virtual 

or in person meetings? 

 Are 9-1-1 dispatch and public safety answering points available to citizens in need? Have you 

provided information on accessing 3-1-1, 2-1-1, mental/behavioral health hotlines, animal 

control, and other 24-hour community service help lines to control the flow of incoming calls?

 Can you implement text to 9-1-1 to improve services for people who have hearing or speech 

disabilities? 

 Do you have plans to increase your 9-1-1 call center’s capacity, including to respond to people 

who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or without speech, or persons with limited English 

proficiency, in the event of increased incoming emergency calls? Have you considered 

establishing a coordinated call center system to divert non-emergency calls from the 9-1-1 

system?

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1587583826898-

7edfe29901f3025da758b9e29cb7fbb5/2020_04_21_COVID_BP_911Centers_F.pdf) 

 Is increased use of mobile or internet bandwidth disrupting emergency communications? Can 

responders receive prioritized access to dedicated bandwidth? Do responders have backup 

communications?

 Do you have accessible multilingual and culturally appropriate pre-scripted messages for 

communicating evacuation and shelter-in-place updates that include social distancing measures 

due to COVID-19 considerations? 

 Do you have accessible, multilingual, and culturally appropriate communication materials that 

address hurricane, flood, tornado, or other hazards preparedness for your communities while 

under the threat of COVID-19?

(https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/phcomm-get-your-community-ready.html) 

(https://www.wsfa.com/2020/03/22/nws-issues-statement-regarding-tornado-shelters-duringpandemic/) 

 Have you published guidance for non-essential businesses and unemployed workers on 

mitigating economic impacts due to COVID-19 (e.g., Small Business Administration support)? 

 Are banking and financial services available? How long will it take to restore financial services? Is 

the disruption due to a lack of power/energy, overload of the system, or another factor? Is it 

possible to expand the bandwidth for financial service applications and technology temporarily?

Transportation 

 Do you have capabilities to screen for COVID-19 on highways/roadways during an evacuation? 

Have you accounted for additional time needed for checkpoints during and evacuation?

 Do you have the resources necessary to re-establish critical mass transportation hubs (e.g., 

airports, train stations, local mass transit stations) under social distancing guidelines?

 How long after an incident can you begin maritime transportation while maintaining procedures 

to detect COVID-19 cases?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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 Do you have access to the resources to repair pipelines that impact transportation services 

(understanding that PPE may be in short supply due to COVID-19)? 

 Do you have accessible, multilingual, and culturally appropriate updated messaging to share with 

the public during an evacuation on social distancing to promote healthy behavior during COVID19?

 Do you have a mechanism to increase public transportation, including accessible buses, vans, 

etc., if economic impacts preclude citizens from self-evacuating, to include paratransit for people 

with disabilities? 

 Do your facilities and jurisdictions have adequate transportation agreements to accommodate 

medical evacuations within required timelines? Do they have patient tracking mechanisms to 

account for separations resulting from COVID-19 operations and evacuations?

Hazardous Materials 

 Have you engaged critical infrastructure and private sector partners to coordinate accessible, 

multilingual, and culturally appropriate messaging, either through your local emergency planning 

committee or directly, to confirm their hazardous materials storage facilities are secure and their 

response plans are updated to reflect the current COVID-19 environment?

 Are your hazardous or toxic materials plans and messaging consistent with your COVID-19 

procedures and messaging? Have you reviewed your messaging for a chemical, biological, 

radiological, or nuclear incident?

 How are you ensuring meaningful involvement of minority communities and low-income 

populations in the development and implementation of policy decisions impacting the 

environment during response and recovery?

 Have you reached out to the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program or any hazardous 

and radiological materials groups to determine constraints and limitations from COVID-19 on 

facilities?

(https://www.fema.gov/radiological-emergency-preparedness-program) 

 Do you have the materials and resources needed for a hazardous or toxic materials incident? 

Have you identified any supply chain issues with procurement?

 Have you considered how to conduct site assessments, especially in areas with hazardous or 

radiological material, given COVID-19 considerations (e.g., potential personnel limitations, social 

distancing)?
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Appendix D: Recovery Considerations Checklist 

The following considerations are presented here for SLTTs to utilize when modifying the recovery 

phase of all hazards or hurricane specific plans in the COVID-19 environment.

Leadership and Authority 

 Who are the lead agencies and individuals managing and coordinating disaster recovery efforts? 

Is this the same agency in charge of COVID-19 response actions? 

 Have Delegations of Authority and Lines of Succession been reviewed for leadership and 

personnel positions critical to operations?

 How will COVID-19 response actions and leadership intersect with disaster recovery actions and 

leadership? What is the coordination mechanism for ensuring both efforts are coordinated?

 Will the recovery unified coordination group include relevant public health and medical officials?

 Who has the authority to make formal decisions in your jurisdiction related to disaster recovery?

 Does the health department need to certify that projects or locations comply with social 

distancing and other public health directives before their use?

 Can your jurisdiction pass ordinances, waivers, and policies in absentia given the constraints of

the COVID-19 environment (e.g., social distancing)? 

Staffing 

 Do you have adequate staffing plans to assure continuity in staffing the management and 

implementation of recovery efforts throughout a COVID-19 environment with 

municipal/jurisdictional personnel, concurrent with the disaster? 

 How will you manage building and housing inspections and re-occupancy procedures, given the 

constraints and impacts of COVID-19 (e.g., social distancing)? 

 Are human resource policies and processes consistent with public health recommendations and 

state and federal statutes? Do you need to establish new policies (e.g., sick leave, scheduling, 

control measures) or continue them after COVID-19?

 Do you have a prioritized order of return for personnel after COVID-19?

 Do your mutual aid partners have adequate personnel to support your efforts in addition to their 

COVID-19 response efforts? Do you have enough personnel to share personnel with other 

impacted jurisdictions?

 Have you evaluated the staffing impacts of COVID-19 and the current disaster on your mutual aid 

partners?

 How will you manage inspections and re-occupancy procedures given the constraints and 

impacts of COVID-19 (e.g., social distancing)? What agencies should be involved?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Communications and Engagement 

 Have you established a process to coordinate messaging related to COVID-19 disaster recovery 

efforts? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/phcomm-get-your-community-ready.html) 

 Do you have a process to synchronize messages between SLTT entities? 

 Who is responsible for releasing information to the public within the jurisdiction? Is this the same 

individual(s) releasing information related to COVID-19?

 Which community organizations can help amplify important recovery information, helping to 

ensure whole of community recovery outcomes are realized?

 How will you determine critical vs. noncritical recovery functions? 

 How will social distancing impact your recovery coordination structure? How will agencies and 

organizations coordinate efforts? Do you have a web platform that supports virtual coordination? 

 Do you have any pre-positioned contracts for disaster housing-related services? Have you 

confirmed that these contracts are still valid and enforceable in the COVID-19 environment?

 What health and safety protocols can impact the return to, and occupancy of, homes and 

buildings? Who are the relevant agencies involved in making those determinations?

 How will you engage with potential PA Applicants virtually, including establishing virtual 

communications and information sharing platforms for Applicant Briefings and Requests for 

Public Assistance?

Recovery Planning 

 Can you manage recovery functions as stipulated in your recovery plan following the constraints 

and impacts of COVID-19 (e.g., potential reduced staffing, budgetary shortfalls)?

 Do you have current and accurate information on COVID-19 cases and infection rates by census 

block or other scales that are most pertinent to your community? 

 What analytic capabilities do you have to assess disaster impacts, vulnerable populations (i.e. 

protected populations, race, color, national origin, limited English proficiency, age, disability, sex, 

religion, and economic status), systemic risk, and other issues necessary for timely and data 

informed decision support? Have you considered using the RAPT for data-driven decision 

support? 

(https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=90c0c996a5e242a79345c

dbc5f758fc6) 

 How will you maximize community input and buy-in for your recovery efforts? Can you hold 

effective public meetings while maintaining social distance? Do you have mechanisms to reach 

isolated or underserved communities?

 Do you have required software licenses to conduct large-scale public engagements remotely? 

What is your single meeting participant capacity? Do you have trained personnel to operate 

these systems?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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 How will you provide individuals with access and functional needs, to include those with 

disabilities, with services in accordance with ADA and CDC guidance? 

 How will you provide the homeless population with services in accordance with CDC guidance, 

while also ensuring the health and safety of emergency responders and recovery personnel? 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/plan-preparerespond.html) 

 What portion of the community has received housing assistance from COVID-19-related funding? 

Are these populations at increased risk from housing displacement following a natural disaster?

Financial Management 

 What are your jurisdiction’s existing financial management practices for disaster and recovery? 

What adjustments, if any, are needed to comply with procurement requirements in a COVID-19 

environment? 

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1586815358427-

cc78a4a55abb9437c487ba72b1a57e02/COVID-19-and-Disaster-Financial-ManagementGuide.pdf) 

 Do you have access to a contingency planning fund? If not, how will you access critical recovery 

funding? 

 How can your personnel and departments access virtual training to build and sustain skills, if 

necessary? 

 What is your process to determine eligibility for all relevant funding opportunities? What access 

do you have to associations that can support disaster-related projects?

 Do your jurisdiction’s financial practices and procedures for non-disaster projects follow the 

same practices and procedures for disaster-related projects?
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

E-1 

Appendix E: Public Messaging Guidance on Hurricanes 

The following contents, which have been approved by the CDC and the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), may be utilized by SLTTs to communicate hurricane 

preparedness actions to individual Americans and community organizations during a pandemic. All 

public messaging must be accessible to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited 

English proficiency. This appendix also contains messaging designed specifically for youth 

audiences.

Be Prepared for a Hurricane 

Highlight: 

Threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland 

flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides.

Definition: 

A hurricane is a storm that forms over warm ocean waters and has sustained winds of 74 mph or 

higher. The Atlantic and Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The 

East Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30.

Quick Facts:

• Hurricanes can happen along any U.S. coast or territory in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans or 

the Gulf of Mexico.

• Hurricanes can affect areas more than 100 miles inland.

• Hurricanes are most active in September.

Protect Yourself Key Messages: 

• If you are under a hurricane warning, find safe shelter right away.

• Determine your best protection for high winds and flooding, as well as infectious diseases, 

including COVID-19. Keep in mind that your best protection from the effects of a hurricane may 

differ from your best protection from disease. 

• Know your evacuation zone! Due to limited space as a result of COVID-19, public evacuation 

shelters may not be the safest choice for you and your family. 

o Unless you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, it is recommended that you make a plan 

to shelter-in-place in your home, if it is safe to do so. 

o If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, make a plan with friends or family to shelter 

with them where you will be safer and more comfortable. 

o Only evacuate to shelters if you are unable to shelter at home or with family or friends. 

Note that your regular shelter may not be open this year. Check with local authorities for 

the latest information about public shelters.

o If you must evacuate to a public shelter, try to bring items that can help protect you and 

others in the shelter from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, and two 

cloth face coverings per person. Children under 2 years old, people who have trouble 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

E-2

breathing, and people who cannot take the cloth face covering off without help should not 

wear cloth face coverings. 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-facecoverings.html?platform=hootsuite) 

• Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.

• Only use outdoor generators outdoor that are at least 20 feet away from your home and away 

from windows, doors, and vents.

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.

How to Stay Safe When a Hurricane Threatens 

Prepare Now 

• Know your area’s risk of hurricanes.

• Have several ways to receive warnings and alerts from the National Weather Service and your 

local officials. Do not rely on a single source of weather alert information. Sign up for your 

community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radios 

also provide emergency alerts. Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in your smartphone 

settings.

(https://www.ready.gov/alerts) 

• If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for signs such as heavy rain.

• Practice going to a safe shelter, such as a FEMA safe room or International Code Council (ICC) 

500 storm shelter. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy 

building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding. Practice going to these places while 

following the latest guidelines from the CDC and your state and local authorities to prevent the 

spread of COVID-19.

(https://www.fema.gov/safe-rooms) 

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/110209) 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html) 

• Based on your location and community plans, make your own plans for evacuation or 

sheltering-in-place. Due to limited space as a result of COVID-19, unless you live in a mandatory 

evacuation zone, it is recommended that you shelter-in-place in your home. If you live in a 

mandatory evacuation zone, talk with your friends and family to see if you can shelter with 

them. Only evacuate to shelters if you are unable to shelter at home or with family or friends. 

Be sure to review your previous evacuation plan and consider alternative options to maintain 

social and physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and update your plan 

accordingly.

• Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and the shelter locations. 

Note that your regular shelter may not be open this year because of COVID-19. Check with 

local authorities for the latest information about shelters. Only evacuate to shelters if you are 

unable to shelter at home or with family and friends. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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• Once you have identified your safe location, gather needed supplies, including cleaning 

supplies, non-perishable foods, and water. If you are able to, set aside items like soap, hand 

sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and general household cleaning supplies that you can use to 

disinfect surfaces you touch regularly. After a hurricane, you may not have access to these 

supplies for days or even weeks. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including 

medication. Do not forget the needs of pets.

• Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.

• Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent 

backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.

Survive During 

• If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local authorities instruct you to evacuate, do so 

immediately. Do not drive around barricades or through floodwater. 

• If you must evacuate, if possible, bring with you items that can help protect you and others in 

the shelter from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, and two cloth face 

coverings per person. Children under 2 years old, people who have trouble breathing, and 

people who cannot take the cloth face covering off without help should not wear cloth face 

coverings.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-facecoverings.html?platform=hootsuite) 

• If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, 

interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding. 

• If staying at a shelter or public facility, take steps to keep yourself and others safe from COVID19. Wash your hands often, maintain a physical distance of at least six feet between you and 

people who are not part of your household, and avoid crowds and gathering in groups. When 

possible, wear a cloth face covering. Children under 2 years old, people who have trouble 

breathing, and people who cannot take the cloth face covering off without help should not 

wear cloth face coverings. If possible, wash your cloth face covering on a regular basis. 

• If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for further care 

instructions and shelter-in-place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 

9-1-1 and let the operator know if you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put 

on a cloth face covering before help arrives. If staying at a shelter or public facility, alert shelter 

staff immediately so they can call a local hospital or clinic. 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html) 

• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a 

closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.

• Listen for current emergency information and instructions.

• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and at least 20 feet from 

your home and away from windows, doors, and vents. If you are using generators near your 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

E-4

home, install battery-operated or battery back-up carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and check 

to be sure they are working properly.

(https://www.cdc.gov/co/generatorsafetyfactsheet.html) 

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Do not drown. Just six inches 

of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle 

away.

• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. 

Be Safe After 

• Pay attention to information and special instructions from authorities.

• Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks 

if cleaning mold or other debris, and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while 

working with someone else. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune 

suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be 

seen or smelled, even if they do not have an allergy to mold. Children should not take part in 

disaster cleanup work.

(https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup-guide.html)

(https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/clinicians_asthma.html)

• Continue taking steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, such 

as washing your hands often and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do 

so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock. 

• Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed 

power lines can also electrically charge the water.

• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use 

text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.

• Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for 

assistance. 

• Be available for family, friends, and neighbors who may need someone to talk to about their 

feelings. Helping others cope with their anxiety and stress can make your community stronger. 

Many people may already feel fear and anxiety about COVID-19. The threat of a hurricane can 

add additional stress. Follow CDC guidance for managing stress during the COVID-19 

pandemic.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stressanxiety.html)

Take an Active Role in Your Safety 

Go to ready.gov and search for “hurricane.” Download the FEMA app to get more information about 

preparing for a hurricane and for pandemics.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Helpful Links: 

• https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Videos 

• Storm Surge Public Service Announcements (FEMA) (Video)

(https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL720Kw_OojlLoTEBMTVHJ_bDUCBYM3V4_)

• Storm Surge (NOAA) (Video)

(https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/hurricanestormsurge/) 

• Six Things to Know Before a Disaster (FEMA) (Video)

(https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/159970) 

• When the Waves Swell – Hurricane Animated (FEMA) (Video)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STiMKEYZ3Q4)

Tip Sheets 

• Hurricane Information Sheet (PDF)

(https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/hurricane_information-sheet.pdf) 

• How to Prepare for a Hurricane (PDF)

• (https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/fema_how-to-prepare-for-hurricane.pdf)

• Prepare Your Organization for a Hurricane Playbook (PDF)

(http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/98410)

More Information 

• Coronavirus (Federal Government Response) (Link)

(https://www.coronavirus.gov/) 

• Flood Map Service Center (FEMA) (Link) 

(https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search) 

• Floodsmart.gov (FEMA) (Link) 

(https://www.floodsmart.gov/)

• National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA) (Link) 

(https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program) 

• National Weather Service Hurricane Safety (NWS) (Link)

(https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane) 

• National Storm Surge Hazard Maps (NOAA) (Link)

(https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/nationalsurge/) 

Information for Youth 

About 

Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf 

of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They collect heat and energy through contact with warm 

ocean waters and then move toward land. Evaporation from the ocean water increases their power. 

Hurricanes rotate in a counterclockwise direction around an “eye,” which is the center of the hurricane.
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour. When hurricanes come onto land, their heavy rain, 

strong winds, and large waves can damage buildings, trees, and cars. Storm surge is when rising water 

moves inland, or away from the coastline. It is very dangerous.

The COVID-19 pandemic will be ongoing as hurricane season and other natural disasters, such as 

flooding, earthquakes, and wildfires, continue to occur throughout the year. Remember to follow the 

latest guidelines from the CDC and your state and local authorities to protect yourself and your family 

from COVID-19. 

Words to Know

Evacuation: Leaving an area that officials say is unsafe.

Eye: The center of the storm. Winds and rains die down, but they will start up again very quickly.

Inland: Away from the coastline.

Storm Surge: Heavy waves caused by high wind and a lot of rain.

Tropical: An area of the country that is closer to the equator.

Am I at Risk?

Hurricanes are most common from June through November. Any U.S. coast by the Atlantic or Pacific 

Oceans can get hit, and you can feel the effects more than 100 miles inland. People who live on the 

coast may experience extreme winds and flooding from rain and storm surge. People who live inland 

are at risk for wind, thunderstorms, and flooding.

Living through environmental disasters, like hurricanes, can be more complicated when we are also 

experiencing a pandemic like COVID-19. It is important to be prepared and to understand how 

COVID-19 might affect you and your family. 

COVID-19 may affect different people in different ways. Most people who are diagnosed with COVID19 have not been seriously sick. Those more likely to become seriously sick include adults over age 

65 or those who already have other chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. Based on 

available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. By following 

the CDC’s recommendations for protecting yourself from COVID-19, you can lower your chances of 

getting sick, both during a hurricane and in general. 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html) 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html) 

What Can I Do? 

Before

• Build an emergency kit.

• Make a family communications plan. Plan how you will keep in touch with family members if 

you lose power or are separated.

• Help your parents bring in outdoor items like potted plants, patio furniture, decorations, and 

garbage cans. They can fly away in strong winds!
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

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During

• Do not open the refrigerator or freezer. In case you lose power, you want the cold air to stay 

in so food will last longer!

• Stay away from windows and glass doors. They could break and hurt you.

• If you do not evacuate, stay inside a closet, hallway, or a room without windows.

• If must evacuate, ask your parent or guardian to bring supplies that can help you protect 

yourself and your family from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and two 

cloth face coverings for each member of the family who can wear one. Children under 2 

years old, people who have trouble breathing, and people who cannot take the cloth face 

covering off without help should not wear cloth face coverings.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-facecoverings.html) 

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes, especially with unwashed hands.

• Pay attention to your parents or safety authorities for important instructions.

After

• If you and your family must stay at a shelter or public facility, take steps to protect yourself 

and others from COVID-19. Maintain a distance of at least six feet, or about two adult arm 

lengths, between you and people who are not part of your household. Do not get into crowds 

or groups. 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html) 

• Wear a cloth face covering while at the shelter. Do not wear a cloth face covering if you have 

trouble breathing or cannot take off the cloth face covering without help. Babies and kids 

under the age of 2 should not wear them either. If you can, wash your face cloth covering 

regularly. 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-facecoverings.html) 

• Do not go outside without a grown-up.

• Do not go near any wires that are loose or dangling. They could electrocute you!

• Tell your parents if the air smells weird, it could mean that there are dangerous gasses in the 

air. 

• Text, do not talk. Unless there is a life-threatening situation, send a text so that you do not tie 

up phone lines needed by emergency workers. Plus, texting may work even if cell service is 

down.

• Know that it is normal to feel anxious or stressed out. Everyone reacts differently to stressful 

situations. Take care of your body and talk with your parents or other trusted adults if you are 

feeling upset

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stressanxiety.html)

Getting Sick

• Cover your coughs and sneezes! Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into your elbow. If you do 

use a tissue, throw it in the trash right away. 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

E-8

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Sing the “Happy Birthday” 

song twice while you wash your hands. Make sure to wash your hands after blowing your 

nose, coughing or sneezing, using the bathroom, and eating or making food. 

• If you cannot find soap and water to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. 

• Stay away from people who are coughing, sneezing, or sick.

• Remind your parents to clean surfaces that people touch frequently, like desks, doorknobs, 

light switches, and remote controls.

• Tell your parents if you feel sick.

Learn More 

Did you know?

Hurricanes can also affect areas greater than 100 miles away from the coastline. People who live 

inland are also at risk for wind, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding.

Helpful Links: 

• Ready.gov

(https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes) 

• Ready Wrigley Prepares for Hurricanes (CDC)

(https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readywrigley/documents/13_239066_ready_wrigley_hurricanes_

508.pdf) 

• Listo Calixto se Prepara para los Huracanes (CDC)

(https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readywrigley/documents/13_239066_ready_wrigley_hurricanes_

spanish_508.pdf) 

• Prepare with Pedro Disaster Activity Book

(https://www.ready.gov/kids/prepare-with-pedro) 

• Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC) 

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html) 
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

F-1

Appendix F: Acronyms 

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

CERT Community Emergency Response Team

CISA Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

CO Carbon Monoxide 

COOP Continuity of Operations

COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019

DEC Disaster Emergency Communications

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DOL Department of Labor

DRC Disaster Recovery Center

DSA Disaster Survivor Assistance

EAS Emergency Alert System

EFFAK Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

EHP Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

EMAC Emergency Management Assistance Compact

EMPG-S Emergency Management Performance Grant Supplemental

EMS Emergency Medical Services

EOC Emergency Operations Center

ESF Emergency Support Function

FCO Federal Coordinating Officer 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 

FIOP Federal Interagency Operational Plan

FIT FEMA Integration Team

FY Fiscal Year

HM Hazard Mitigation

HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

IA Individual Assistance 

ICC International Code Council

ICMA International City/County Management Association

IMAT Incident Management Assistance Team

JFO Joint Field Office
COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season

F-2

MCOV Mobile Communications Office Vehicle

MRC Medical Reserve Corps

NDRF National Disaster Recovery Framework

NFIP National Flood Insurance Program

NGO Non-Governmental Organization 

NIMAT National Incident Management Assistance Team

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NRCC National Response Coordination Center

NRF National Response Framework

NWS National Weather Service 

PA Public Assistance 

PDA Preliminary Damage Assessment

POD Point of Distribution

PPE Personal Protective Equipment 

RAPT Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool

RRCC Regional Response Coordination Center

RSF Recovery Support Function

SCF Surge Capacity Force 

SDRC State Disaster Recovery Coordinator

SLTT State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial 

TDRC Tribal Disaster Recovery Coordinator

TSA Transitional Sheltering Assistance

UCG Unified Coordination Group

US&R Urban Search and Rescue

WEA Wireless Emergency Alert