Getting ready for the hurricane? Plan ahead for your health.

In case of an emergency, you need to have medicines, tools, health paperwork, and plans on hand.

If you live near the coast, you need to start getting ready for storms early. Storms can come on quickly, giving you little time to plan where to stay safe or what to bring with you in case you need to leave. In the chaos, people often forget essential health care items like medicines or medical gear.

Dr. Scott Goldberg, the medical director of emergency preparedness at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a longtime member of a FEMA task force that aids areas damaged by hurricanes, notes that people may bring their diabetes medication but forget to bring their blood sugar monitor or their hearing aids.

This storm season, learn what to expect and how to ensure that your health care kit is the most important item in it.

What will the storm season be like in 2024?

The hurricane predictions for this year make it even more important to start getting ready right away.

For the 2024 hurricane season, which runs until November 30, forecasters with the National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expect more storms than usual.

There could be 17 to 25 storms with winds of 39 mph or higher, including 8 to 13 hurricanes. Four to seven of these could be major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.

What types of plans should you create?

Preparing for the possibility of major storms is a significant task. Before the storm's fierce winds and heavy rains even start, you need to get hurricane supplies, figure out how to keep your home safe, and plan your escape route (especially if you live in a flood zone). For information on where to stay, call the disaster management office in your city or county.

For medical reasons, you may need help getting out of the area or at a shelter. Check to see if your county or city has a special needs list like this one in Florida. If you sign up, first responders will be able to call you when there are storms and take you to a special shelter with medical staff, hospital cots, and maybe even oxygen tanks.

What should you bring?

A shelter provides a secure location to endure a storm, complete with food, water, and restrooms, but you must carry all necessary items. It is essential to bring enough medical supplies and medical tools.

"It's easy to just grab the prescription drugs from your cabinet, but what if you only have enough for two days?" You might have to wait a while to get another one. "For every prescription, we suggest at least 14 or 30 days' worth," says Dr. Goldberg. "Talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting an extra refill to keep on standby for your go bag."

The following health-related items should also be brought:

You may use over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers or heartburn medicine, as well as medical tools such as a blood pressure monitor, heart monitor, CPAP machine, wheelchair, or walker on a daily basis.

foods for people with certain dietary needs, like gluten-free food if you have celiac disease (if you have babies or kids, you'll need to bring things that they can eat).

Nuts, nut butters, trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars, protein bars, and whole-grain bread, crackers, or cereals are all healthy snacks that don't go harmfully quickly.

Shelters often run out of things like soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, diapers for babies or adults, lip balm, wet towelettes, and toilet paper.

Don't forget the basics.

This way of life bears similarities to camping. To get through it, you'll need a lot of simple things, such as

Each family member should have a sleeping bag, blanket, or pillow.

Washcloths and towels that are clean.

Everyone should have a few extra sets of clothes.

Bring a first-aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, chargers for your electronics, and portable battery packs.
Bring your important papers.

Along with supplies, you should bring important papers, like

Make a list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements, including their names, dosages, and the frequency of their use.

Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your main care doctor and any specialists who treat you.

Write down the names and phone numbers of people you can call in an emergency.

Please provide a copy of your living will and health care proxy form, copies of your home, car, or life insurance plans, copies of your health insurance cards, and a copy of your birth certificate and driver's license.

"Put these files on a flash drive." Do copies so doctors can find them quickly in an emergency. "Put them in a zip-top plastic bag to keep them dry," says Dr. Goldberg.

Get ready now.

Begin right now. Gather as many items for the go-bag as possible, including bags. Each person in your family should bring a small suitcase, backpack, or tote bag.

Additionally, avoid delaying the completion of these important preparations. "Hurricanes cause a lot of stress." "You may be worried, not getting enough sleep, tired, and emotional," says Dr. Goldberg. These factors can hinder your ability to think clearly. Discuss and prepare for a storm immediately. This will greatly benefit you and your family.