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Tips and Resources for Hurricane Season

Date: 08/28/23

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hurricane season is underway and continues until Nov. 30. Sunshine Health would like to share these hurricane tips and trusted resources:

First, some trusted resources:

Put these numbers in your phone and on a piece of paper inside a waterproof bag, in case you lose cellular service and you can’t access your stored info:

How we can help:

  • When the governor declares a state of emergency in advance of a storm, it often means you can — and should — fill your prescriptions before the storm. When that happens, we’ll post it prominently on SunshineHealth.com.
  • While we may close some of our physical offices in advance of a storm, we have multiple offices throughout the state and keep our Member Services phone line open during normal business hours. The Member Services phone number is 1-866-796-0530 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770).
  • You can call our Nurse Advice Line 24-7 at 1-866-796-0530 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770) and follow the prompts: Press 1, Press3, Press 5.
  • Familiarize yourself with telehealth plans offered by your health plan and your doctor.  Non-emergencies like allergies, sinus infections or earaches can often be treated without a trip to the doctor.
  • Always call 911 in the case of an emergency.

Prescription and medication tips:

  • Store your paper prescriptions and a list of all your medications in a waterproof bag. Even though your pharmacy has them on file, computers may be down or you may need to go somewhere new.
  • Can your medications survive excessive heat? Ask your pharmacist.
  • After being in a fridge, insulin can remain stable at room temperature for about 28 days. But with our Florida heat, it’s best to keep it in a cooler. Don’t use dry ice, which can freeze medication.
  • Don’t forget to stock up on over-the-counter medications.

Keep yourself healthy:

  • You stocked up on all that water, now drink it. Dehydration is a serious concern during and after storms.
  • It’s tempting to buy chips and cookies when stocking up for a hurricane, but you’ll tire of them quickly. Be sure to have some fresh produce on hand, plus some canned items (and a manual can opener).
  • Keep bug spray on hand. Standing water means more mosquitos.
  • When cleaning up debris after a storm, inspect wood and logs before moving them. Wear gloves, pants, sleeves and closed-toed shoes.
  • Use flashlights, not candles.
  • Learn more about proper wound care after a disaster.

Don’t neglect your emotional health:

  • When it’s safe, get out and check on your neighbors.
  • Stay in touch with nearby friends.
  • If your power is out, pick out a good book to read.
  • Your out-of-state family doesn’t understand Florida hurricanes. Let them know you are okay even if it made landfall miles away from you.
  • The CDC has more tips on how to take care of your emotional health after a disaster.