Hurricane Season 2026 Medical Prep: Your Family Evacuation Plan

Medically reviewed by Shane D. Naidoo, MD
Medical Director, TrufaMED Urgent Care & Concierge Medicine
Board-Certified, Emergency Medicine
Last reviewed: June 2026

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast from NOAA and Colorado State University projects above-average activity for the season, with peak activity expected mid-August through October. Miami families who have lived through Irma, Ian, or last year's near-miss already know the drill. Families newer to Florida often miss the medical-specific preparation steps until the cone is already on the screen.

This is the checklist our concierge program runs through with every Miami household member every spring. It is the medical equivalent of bottled water and plywood: boring until you need it, then non-negotiable.

Your Medication Inventory

The single most preventable medical problem during a hurricane is running out of regular medications. Pharmacies close, supply chains break, and refill processes slow down for days after a major storm.

What to do now:

• Make a list of every prescription, dose, and prescriber. Photograph the bottles. Store in your phone and a printout in your storm kit.
• Refill 30 to 60 days of every chronic medication by July 1 if possible. Most Florida insurance plans permit early refills under hurricane provisions; ask your pharmacy.
• Keep insulin and biologics in a cooler with frozen packs — not in the refrigerator if you might lose power.
• Note which medications have substitute options if your specific one is unavailable.
• If you take controlled substances, have a copy of your most recent prescription with the prescriber's DEA number; this materially speeds emergency refills in another state if you evacuate.

Your Medical Records

If you have to evacuate to Orlando, Atlanta, or further, the doctor you see in that city has zero context on your history. Carry the basics:

• List of medical conditions, prior surgeries, and allergies (including drug allergies)
• Most recent lab panel (PDF on your phone is fine)
• Most recent EKG, echocardiogram, and any imaging that might matter (CT, MRI)
• Your PCP and specialist contact information
• Pediatric vaccination records for all children
• Insurance card photos (front and back) for every family member

Concierge members get a sealed evacuation packet from us each May with all of this consolidated, plus a laminated card with our 24/7 contact line for medical questions in another city.

Your Family Emergency Kit

The medical part of your hurricane kit, separate from the food/water/flashlight kit:

• Two weeks of all regular medications
• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, oral rehydration salts, antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine)
• Hydrocortisone cream, antibiotic ointment, alcohol prep pads, bandages of multiple sizes
• A basic wound care kit (gauze, tape, scissors, tweezers)
• Thermometer and pulse oximeter
• Insect repellent (mosquito-borne illness spikes after storms with standing water)
• Sunscreen and waterproof bandages
• If you have small children: pediatric acetaminophen, oral rehydration solution, diaper rash cream, fever-strip thermometer
• If anyone in the house has a chronic condition: device-specific supplies (CPAP batteries, inhaler spares, glucose strips, EpiPen)

Power-Dependent Medical Equipment

If anyone in your home uses oxygen, CPAP, BiPAP, a ventilator, a feeding pump, dialysis equipment, an insulin pump, or a CGM, you need a written power plan:

• Battery backup for at least 72 hours where possible
• Generator-compatible power supply where applicable
• Register with Florida Power & Light's Medically Essential Service Program (this puts you higher on the restoration priority list)
• A shelter-of-last-resort plan: know which special-needs shelter accepts your equipment and what registration paperwork is required

Evacuation vs. Shelter-in-Place Decision Framework

The decision is not binary and depends on the storm category, your specific neighborhood elevation, your housing type, and whether anyone in the home has medical conditions that worsen during a long shelter-in-place.

Evacuate sooner if any family member is:

• Oxygen-dependent or CPAP/BiPAP-dependent
• Pregnant in third trimester
• Within two weeks of recent surgery
• Receiving active chemotherapy
• On dialysis
• Diabetic with brittle control
• Severely immunocompromised
• Living in a barrier-island home that may lose access for several days

Shelter-in-place is reasonable for healthy families in inland Miami-Dade neighborhoods at appropriate elevation, in newer construction, with adequate supplies. Even then, plan a fallback if power loss exceeds 72 hours.

What TrufaMED Does Before And During A Storm

Before: We pre-fill concierge medication requests, distribute evacuation packets, and pre-screen members for any planned travel in the storm window.

During: Our concierge phone line stays open with rotating physician coverage. Telehealth is available for non-emergency questions when we cannot dispatch in person. House calls and mobile IV are suspended only during active hurricane conditions and resume as soon as roads reopen.

After: We prioritize concierge members for post-storm wellness checks, post-storm medication refills, and any acute issues. The Surfside clinic typically reopens within 24 hours of all-clear barring direct structural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I refill prescriptions now or wait?

Now. Most Florida insurance plans permit early refills under hurricane provisions starting in late May. Ask your pharmacy specifically about hurricane refill rules.

Do you sell hurricane medical kits?

We do not sell kits, but we publish the checklist (this post) for free. Your local pharmacy or American Red Cross has assembled kits if you prefer the convenience.

Can I get a telehealth consult during a storm if I'm sheltering in place?

Yes for non-emergency questions. Our telehealth platform is available 24/7 to Florida residents.

What about mosquito-borne illness after a storm?

Standing water dramatically increases mosquito populations. Use DEET-based or picaridin repellent for two to three weeks post-storm, especially for children and pregnant women. Watch for unexplained fever, joint pain, or rash in the weeks following a storm.