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What it's like to prepare for a natural disaster during a pandemic

COVID-19 is forcing people to be more prepared than ever as the first tropical storm of the season nears landfall.

COLORADO, USA — Ten people from Colorado and Wyoming went to the Gulf Coast with the Red Cross to help people who will be impacted by Tropical Storm Cristobal. 

The first tropical storm of the season is expected to hit southeast Louisiana and parts of Texas this weekend.

RELATED: Tropical Storm Cristobal to make landfall in Louisiana Sunday

Three volunteers traveled Baton Rouge, Louisiana to support residents, and 7 went to help in Houston, Texas.

Preparing an emergency response to disasters is different than ever before since the nation is still dealing with COVID-19. 

"Disasters still don't stop," Red Cross spokesperson Andrea Carlson said. "We had to stay on the forefront and the minute the pandemic hit we had to really start looking at the way in which we work and how we do our mission. How do we care for individuals locally with a home fire or on a big scale disaster knowing we were getting closer to hurricane and wildfire season."

The Red Cross' response depends on the size and scope of the disaster.

"We worked with hotels to secure individual rooms or larger-style rooms so we can keep people more separated, should that be the smaller portion of numbers," Carlson explained. "If we do need to do a larger shelter or we have a larger amount of people that need help from us, we've set up certain protocols in place in order to help them through that process."

That process begins at the front door of a shelter in Baton Rouge and Houston. The Red Cross partnered with local jurisdictions to provide health screenings before people go inside. 

Officials said they will check people's temperatures and ask a series of health questions. The Red Cross said people with COVID-19 symptoms will be offered different sheltering options somewhere separate from others like a hotel.

Here are some protocols people can expect once inside a shelter:

 • Beds spread out dormitory-style to maintain social distancing

 • People partnered with their families

 • Staff mandated to wear masks

 • Increased cleaning and hand sanitizer

The Red Cross created a 'COVID Shelter Strike Team' in Colorado. The group went through training to learn what they need to do to plan and execute a safe shelter similar to the ones in Louisiana and Texas, should the need arise.

"There has been quite a bit of work over the last month or so making sure all of our plans are tied up, ready to go knowing the type of summers we encounter here whether that's flooding or wildfires," Carlson said. "That way Coloradans can remain safe even if they have to leave their homes in a disaster."

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