Hurricane Season 2021

Healthcare Sector and Communities | Situation Reports | Rx Open | Patient Resources

Healthcare Ready is ALERT for the 2021 hurricane season. This means that we are in rigorous communication with private and public sector partners to monitor hurricanes, tropical storms and recovery efforts in affected areas. We’re also standing ready to assist.

This page contains updates to provide situational awareness around events as they unfold as well as free resources and state-specific information to assist healthcare facilities, communities, and individuals prepare for and respond to hurricanes.

Support for the Healthcare Sector and Communities

Healthcare Ready’s assistance includes:

Rapid access to the right contacts in the private sector or government
Coordination with federal, state and local officials, nonprofits and shelters to ensure coordination and assistance with access to medicine
Coordination with HHS, FEMA, state EOCs, and private sector companies
Assistance with donations to shelters
Facilitating access to healthcare facilities to ensure deliveries and personnel have access into restricted areas or with resuming operations
Sharing information and promoting the use of medicine assistance programs

Healthcare Ready Situation Reports

Hurricane Ida 

Rx Open – Status of Pharmacies

Rx Open is an interactive map showing whether pharmacies and dialysis centers are open across all US states and territories.

National Resources

Situation Resources

Track Storms – National Hurricane Center
Power Outages – PowerOutages
Fuel Availability – GasBuddy
Shelters: Red Cross shelters are available in affected areas. Find a shelter here.
- You can also call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767
- Or the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program at 800-621-3363

State Resources

ALABAMA 

Report Outages: Alabama Power (AL) 1-800-888-2726
Map of Outages https://poweroutage.us/area/state/alabama

LOUISIANA 

Report Outages:
- Cleco: 1-800-622-6537 or Text “OUT” to 25326
- DEMCO: 1-844-693-3626, press option one
- Entergy: 1-800-968-8243
- WSTE: 1-866-672-9773
Map of Outages: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/louisiana
Community Power Stations (NOLA):https://www.imaginewaterworks.org/community-power-map-hurricane-ida-relief/
Shelters state-wide:
- Text “lashelter” to 898-211
- Call 211 to determine if need to be diverted to medical shelter
Food Assistance state-wide: https://gohsep.la.gov/emergency/HurricaneIda
- Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is evaluating impacts to agriculture and communities. The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program in Louisiana received a temporary waiver to allow participants to buy hot foods with their benefits and assisting with program flexibilities needed for mass feeding operations.
Resources for New Orleans:
- Shelter: Text “DELTA” to 888777
- Shelter Text “NOLAREADY” to 77295
- Uber is offering free rides to resources in New Orleans with the code “IDARELIEF2021.”
- Lyft is offering free rides to resources in New Orleans with the code “IDARELIEF21.”
- Operation Blue Roof: 1-888-766-3258
- Food assistance: https://ready.nola.gov/incidents/hurricane-ida/assistance/#assistance

MISSISSIPPI 

Report Outages
- Entergy: 1-800-968-8243
- Magnolia Electric Power: 601-684-4011
- Southern Pine Electric: 800-231-5240, press one
Map of Outages: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/mississippi
Shelter: 1-888-574-3583 (M-F 8-5:30)
Disability and Disaster Hotline: 800-626-4959

NEW JERSEY 

Report Outages
- Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-833-7476
- First Energy: 1-888-544-4877
- Public Service Electric and Gas: 1-800-436-7734 or Text “OUT” to 47734
Map of Outages: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/new%20jersey

NEW YORK

Report Outages
- Con Edison: 1-800-752-6633
- First Energy: 1-888-544-4877
- Public Service Electric and Gas: 1-800-436-7734 or Text “OUT” to 47734
Map of Outages: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/new%20york

PENNSYLVANIA 

Report Outages
- First Energy: 1-888-544-4877
- Philadelphia Electric Company: 1-800-494-4000
Map of Outages: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/pennsylvania

Patient Resources

Health Condition/Disease Specific Resources 

HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its Disaster Distress helpline: 1-800-985-5990
For those in Louisiana and Mississippi
- Diabetes
  - For insulin assistance
  - visit the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center
  - visit the American Diabetes Association
  - Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
  - Blood Glucose Meters and Hurricane Disasters
  - Diabetes Disaster Preparedness
  - Foot Care for People with Diabetes
- Kidney patients:
  - 1-800-626-1297
  - Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition
    - KCER hotline: 866-901-3773
    - For more helplines: kcercoalition.com/en/ida/
  - Visit the National Kidney Foundation
- Those with chronic lung conditions can visit the American Lung Association

Prescription refill regs during an emergency in affected states 

General: TRICARE authorized the following temporary prescription refill waivers due to the storm:
- Alabama through 09/28/21
- Connecticut through 09/11/21
- Louisiana through 09/27/21
- Maryland through 09/10/21
- Mississippi through 09/27/21
- New Jersey through 09/11/21
- New York through 09/11/21
- Pennsylvania through 09/08/21
- Virginia through 09/10/21
- West Virginia through 09/10/21
- To find a TRICARE network pharmacy call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303
Louisiana
- Under Rule 519 of the LA Board of Pharmacy, since a state of emergency is in effect for Louisiana, pharmacists may dispense a one-time emergency prescription of up to a 90-day supply of prescribed medication.
- Under the same Rule, a pharmacist licensed in another state may dispense prescription medications in Louisiana if they adhere to certain conditions in the Rule.

Request Assistance from Healthcare Ready:
If you would like to request assistance from Healthcare Ready, please email at Alerts@HealthcareReady.org or call (866-247-2694).

COVID-19 RESPONSE

2022 Hurricane Season Forecast and How to Prepare NowJune 3, 2022
Supporting Care Transitions During Emergencies for People Living with DementiaMarch 16, 2022
Preparing the Gulf Coast for Hurricane IdaAugust 30, 2021
COVID-19, Disasters of Concern, and Emergency PreparednessAugust 4, 2021
Disaster Preparedness for Vulnerable Groups During COVID-19August 4, 2021
Hurricanes and COVID-19 Disaster PreparednessAugust 4, 2021
2021 Hurricane Season Forecast and How to Prepare NowMay 21, 2021
Climate Change and the Dangers it Poses to Healthcare SystemsMay 19, 2021
The Healthcare Supply Chain & Its Role in DisastersSeptember 1, 2020
Patient/Vulnerable Populations after Hurricane LauraAugust 29, 2020