Living on the Gulf Coast means hurricane season is a fact of life.

Over the years, I've experienced both sides of storm preparation. I've seen how a family member's healthcare needs can influence the decision to evacuate, and I've also stayed to ride out storms while watching weather updates and hoping the power stayed on.

Those experiences taught me something important: hurricane preparedness is not just about bottled water and batteries. It's also about making sure your healthcare needs can be met if normal routines are disrupted.

For older adults, caregivers, and anyone managing chronic health conditions, a little planning can go a long way.

Start With What Matters

When a storm is approaching, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer.

What feels like the right decision for one family may not be the right decision for another. Healthcare needs, mobility, support systems, and access to resources all play a role. For some, evacuating early provides peace of mind. For others, staying home may be the safest and most practical option.

The most important thing is having a plan that fits your situation before a storm is on the horizon.

Consider asking yourself:

• Would a prolonged power outage affect medications or medical equipment?

• Would mobility challenges make evacuation difficult?

• Do you have family, friends, or neighbors who could help if needed?

• What would help you feel safest and most prepared?

Starting with what matters can help guide the rest of your planning.

Keep Important Health Information Accessible

If you needed to leave home quickly, would you have easy access to your healthcare information? Consider keeping copies of:

• A current medication list

• Allergies and medication intolerances

• Healthcare provider contact information

• Pharmacy contact information

• Insurance cards

• Emergency contact information

A printed copy can be especially helpful if internet, phone, or electronic systems are unavailable.

Think Beyond Food and Water

Most hurricane preparedness conversations focus on food, water, flashlights, and batteries. Those supplies are important, but healthcare needs deserve a place in your emergency planning as well.

Consider how you would manage if the power was out for several days. Would you need electricity for:

• A CPAP machine

• Oxygen equipment

• Hearing aid chargers

• Powered mobility devices

• Refrigerated medications

• Cell phones used to communicate with family and healthcare providers

For some households, a generator may make sense. For others, a portable power station or backup battery may be enough to keep essential devices running or power a small refrigerator for medications.

The best time to think through those needs is before a storm is in the forecast.

Practice Before You Need It

One of the most effective parts of emergency planning is simply walking through the plan ahead of time.

Ask yourself:

• Can I quickly find my medication list?

• Do family members know where important health information is stored?

• Would I know which medications require refrigeration?

• If I needed to leave home tomorrow, what would I take with me?

A plan is most helpful when it has been thought through before decisions become urgent.

Hurricane preparedness looks different for every family. The goal is not to prepare for every possible scenario. It is to think through the things that matter most before you are under pressure to make decisions.

A little planning today can help reduce stress tomorrow and make it easier to focus on what is most important: your health, your safety, and the people you care about.

At Wright Geriatric Consulting, we believe healthcare works best when it is personalized, practical, and aligned with what matters most. Hurricane preparedness is no different. For support in hurricane season and beyond, contact us to learn how we can support you.

With care,
Abigail Wright, BCGP BCPS CDP PharmD MS FASCP
Founder, Wright Geriatric Consulting