Preparing for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Preparing Your Health for Hurricanes

• Fill prescriptions on time or ahead of time, if you can
  • Call your pharmacist to ask if your prescriptions can be filled early 
  • When filling prescriptions at the pharmacy, use mail-order delivery or call in your prescriptions ahead of time, and use drive-thru or curbside pickup options when available.”
  • View Healthcare Ready’s blog on the refill-too-soon laws by state: HealthcareReady.Org/A-Review-of-State-Emergency-Prescription-Refill-Protocols
• Keep a “go-bag” of emergency supplies ready, including your medications
  • Suggested items: irst aid kit, flashlight, portable radio, NOAA weather radio, batteries, whistle, blankets, important documents, cash if possible, and supplies to protect you and others from COVID-19 including multiple masks for everyone 2 years and older, soap and disinfectant wipes
  • Pack all medications in a resealable, waterproof bag
• Try to keep non-perishable food, water, and can openers on hand
  • Go for canned meats, fruits and vegetables that are ready to eat and can be used in a renal diet
  • Protein bars, cereal, granola, and dried fruit are great snacks to have
  • If possible, try to keep some food, water, and can openers in your “go-bag”
• Fully charge your electronic devices, and pack spare batteries and chargers
  • To conserve battery: limit the use of unnecessary apps and switch your phone to low-power mode when fully charged 
• Keep a list of your local healthcare facilities, with addresses, phone numbers, and emails/websites
  • Consider these facilities:
    • Hospitals/ERs
    • Pharmacies
    • Urgent care clinics
    • Ancillary care:
      • Dialysis Centers, Cancer Treatment Centers
    • COVID-19 Testing Centers
• Have an evacuation plan 
  • Use your state emergency management agency and RedCross.org/Shelters to find local shelters 
  • Identify back-up locations, such as the homes of loved ones or motels  
    • If you have pets, look for places that accept pets 
  • Plan several routes to your alternative locations
  • Use RxOpen.org to locate pharmacies near your alternative location 
  • Follow the instructions of local officials 
  • Have a communication and reunification plan with everyone in your home 
  • If you are unable to evacuate, alert local emergency management officials and your loved ones or caretakers 
  • If you need to stay at a shelter or evacuate, practice COVID-19 public shelter safety precautions and general COVID-19 safety precautions on transportation like wearing a mask, washing hands often with soap and water, and staying six feet apart from others.
  • Pay close attention to local guidelines about updated evacuation plans and emergency sheltering.
• Make sure you know your prescription medication and health information – use Rx on the Run to keep a list of your prescriptions
  • Rx on the Run is a personalized wallet-sized card that lists your prescriptions with the latest dosage and instructions 
  • Visit HealthcareReady.org/Rx-on-the-Run to fill yours out!
• Plan for any chronic conditions you may have
  • Diabetes: Talk to your pharmacist about keeping a supply of insulin on hand – Try to refrain from eating sugar and other carbohydrates  
  • Kidney disease: Make sure you have access to dialysis treatment and use the renal diet
  • Cardiovascular disease & hypertension: Try to refrain from high-salt and fatty food and aim for 30 minutes of activity a day to manage your blood pressure
  • Pulmonary disease: Work with your supplier to understand options for keeping resupplies of oxygen with you 
  • Disability: Develop alternative transportation plans and identify a trusted caretaker if necessary 
  • Aging: Post emergency numbers near every house phone and cellular phone 
  • Asthma: Have a plan to ensure you have a supply of your asthma medications and supplies
  • Cancer: If you have a cancer survivorship care plan, keep a copy handy and take steps to lower your risk for infections
• Keep a list of helpful hotlines
  • Healthcare Ready: 1-866-247-2694
  • FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (or text “TalkWithUS” to 66746)
  • Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER): 1-866-901-3773
  • Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767
  • American Diabetes Association: 1-800-342-2283
  • American Heart Association: 1-800-242-8721
  • American Association of People with Disabilities: 1-800-840-8844
  • American Stroke Association: 1-888-478-7653

Protecting Your Health During a Hurricane

• Make sure your medications remain stable
  • Some medicines must remain within a certain temperature range
  • Tip: insulin can remain stable between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days¹
• Use RxOpen.org to find open pharmacies near you 
• Beware of floodwater contaminants
  • Do not drink floodwater 
  • Do not cook, clean, or brush teeth with floodwater 
  • Do not use medication or eat food that has been contaminated with floodwater 
  • Cover open wounds and limit exposure to floodwater, especially if you have cancer or are otherwise immunocompromised 
• Drink plenty of bottled water and avoid skipping meals or eating spoiled food
  • Eat nutrient-rich, non-perishable foods such as fruits and vegetables 
  • Perishable foods in the refrigerator will be unsafe to eat after 4 hours without power 
  • Use dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator cold for longer or use an extra cooler 
• Recognize symptoms of food- or waterborne-illness
  • If you experience vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, contact a healthcare provider immediately 
• Do not run gas-powered generators, grills, or heaters indoors (Gas build up can be lethal!)

Recovering After a Hurricane

• Dispose of food and medicine that may have spoiled or been contaminated with floodwater
  • Without power, perishable foods only last for 4 hours in the refrigerator and 24-48 hours in the freezer 
• Check home for mold, gas leaks, and insects
  • Mold can cause irritation and inflammation of existing respiratory conditions, like asthma 
  • Poisonous and disease-carrying insects are more common after floods 
• Disinfect cooking and eating surfaces
  • Use boiling water or a solution of one-tablespoon bleach to one-gallon clean water to clean pots, pans, countertops, dishes and silverware 
• Use caution when cleaning up debris and don’t overexert yourself
  • Always wear gloves, masks, and protective eyewear, and beware of glass, nails, and other sharp objects
  • If you are cut or scraped, clean and disinfect the wound thoroughly and keep it covered, especially if you have cancer or are otherwise immunocompromised
• Contact family and friends to let them know you are safe 
  • Check in on your loved ones that may need support 
  • Use text messages instead of phone calls because phone lines might be down
  • When checking up on friends and family, don’t forget to continue practicing COVID-19 safety precautions like wearing a mask, washing hands often with soap and water, and staying six feet apart from others.
• Check with your health insurance provider for emergency support resources and hotlines
  • Start by calling the number on the back of your insurance card for assistance 
  • If you don’t have insurance, call 2-1-1 and ask about local services that may be able to help
  • If there is a disaster declaration, you can also try to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance for financial support by calling 800-621-3362 or visiting DisasterAssistance.gov

¹ https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency

This tip sheet was created thanks to generous support from Eli Lilly and Company.