Medical Preparations for Hurricane Season

While making your hurricane preparations, it's important not to forget to take care of health concerns. Understand that your planning may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

In addition to preparing an emergency kit and evacuation plan, you should also prepare yourself and your family members by taking care of health needs in advance. Being prepared beforehand can help minimize health problems and stressful situations.

Here are some important steps to help you medically prepare for hurricane season:

• One thing you can do now is add hand sanitizers, soap and two masks or face coverings per person to your disaster supplies kit.
• Have at least a 14-day supply of prescription medications on hand.
• Have a complete list of all prescription and non-prescription medications you take regularly, along with the dosage for each and the name, address and telephone number of your regular pharmacy. Be sure you include a list of any allergies.
• Have the name, specialty, address and phone number of any physician you visit on a regular basis. Store all papers in a waterproof, portable container.
• Check in with your personal health care and medical equipment providers for guidance on supplies to keep on hand and alternatives to receive care in the event of power outages.
• If you have medical needs, the best advice is to check with all of your providers of medical care to obtain their recommendations on which course of action you should take in the event of a disaster.

Contact your health care provider to learn more about preparations you should take to ensure your individual medical needs are provided for before a hurricane threatens our community.

For more information on how those with special needs should prepare for hurricane season, click here.