What Medical Supplies Should I Bring with Me in a 2023 Hurricane Evacuation?

If you were to evacuate your home during a natural disaster, what would you think to grab? Photo albums, jewelry, cash and the family pet? Would your prescription medications and other medical supplies make the list?

While your specific needs may vary depending on your medical condition, here is a general list of supplies you should consider bringing:

• At least a week’s supply of your regular medications and medical supplies, or as much as you can keep on hand. Try to keep them in their original containers with clearly labeled instructions.
• Any over-the-counter medications you take regularly
• A backup waterproof list of medications and instructions; consider a laminated or digital copy.
• A cooler bag for any medications that need to be kept cold
• If you rely on medical equipment such as glucose monitors, oxygen concentrators or nebulizers,      ensure you have an adequate power source, spare batteries, and necessary accessories. Try to also have copies of the style and serial numbers of any assistive devices.
• Medical insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, physician contact information, list of your allergies and health history stored in a waterproof container.
• Extra batteries for hearing aids
• Extra eyeglasses and backup supplies for any visual aids you use
• Small first-aid kit with items such as Band-Aids and personal hygiene items
• Face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to protect yourself and others from potential infections or diseases.

• Considering wearing medical identification jewelry or tags that provide information about your medical conditions, allergies or special needs.

If you have a smart phone, you should ensure that you have the MyOchsner app downloaded so you can have easy access to your medical records.

Your ability to recover from an emergency tomorrow may depend on the planning and preparation you do today.