The best natural disaster response is to be prepared

The new federal hurricane forecast projects an "extremely active" season with as many as 24 named storms and 13 hurricanes. We've already seen five storms — with three months to go.

The toll of hurricanes is immense. They typically have an outsized impact on the most vulnerable communities. Recovery may take years, as Long Island saw with Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Given that reality, we must make preparing for hurricane season a bigger priority.

The most vulnerable people are those who were most vulnerable the day before disaster struck. They may be low-income, live in substandard housing, face language or transportation barriers, or have health problems. An individual with a chronic condition can sink into crisis fast without ready access to treatment. That's why it's so important to plan ahead.

It's already difficult for many to access and afford the insulin, blood pressure medications, or inhalers they need. When extreme weather blocks roads, forces evacuations, or closes community clinics, securing lifesaving care can become nearly impossible.

The loss of essential medical services can be just as devastating in the aftermath as the storm itself. People living in the poorest areas of Puerto Rico faced up to a 60% greater risk of death six months after Hurricane Maria made landfall in 2017. Researchers concluded that the primary cause of the increased mortality was "interruption of medical care."

Americans have long been generous about helping others in the aftermath of a natural disaster. But what if that aid consistently came before disaster struck — and focused on boosting the resilience of health systems in threatened communities?

The experience of Hurricane Maria, which wiped out much of Puerto Rico's electrical grid, demonstrated the importance of keeping the power flowing. An outage can prevent providers from operating medical equipment, accessing electronic health records, and keeping medicines at an appropriate temperature. Another area of need is pre-positioning health care and other supplies in safe but accessible areas, like weatherproof warehouses near clinics, for immediate distribution after a disaster hits.

Government programs and nonprofit organizations already collect much of the demographic and geographic data necessary to scope the areas with the greatest need and vulnerability. Then, humanitarian organizations can partner with the private sector to help prepare community health centers and clinics in these areas. Of the 30 million Americans nonprofit clinics serve, roughly 70% have incomes below the poverty line.

My organization, Direct Relief, has teamed up with health care company Abbott to provide backup generators, staff training, and emergency packs of medical supplies to health clinics in hurricane-prone areas across the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Anticipatory relief has become a top priority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has convened more than 1,600 organizations to help communities increase their ability to withstand and recover from hurricanes and other disasters.

But the reality is that many local organizations and health centers do not have the staffing and funding to prepare for disasters. There are tremendous opportunities for government, businesses, and individuals to help nonprofits and clinics in their communities. Efforts could include a rapid-response team of volunteers who can quickly distribute food and ensure at-risk people are safe. Local governments could earmark more funds for preventive disaster relief. Businesses could share expertise and resources.

Our society has the tools and data to enable the cooperation needed to mitigate the effects of coming natural disasters. With this year's hurricane season here, there's no time to lose.

This guest essay reflects the views of Thomas Tighe, president and chief executive of Direct Relief, a nonprofit humanitarian medical organization.