Hurricane–Emergency Information

The Florida Department of Health is working to support local and state response to public health needs resulting from hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather conditions.

Be prepared before the storm hits. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. Driving might not be possible after the storm—your car might be damaged and roads may be flooded or blocked.

• Prepare any supplies you may need to keep your loved ones safe and healthy before and after the storm.

• Listen to local authorities regarding evacuations. Don’t return home until local officials notify you it’s safe to do so.

• Don’t drive through flooded areas and standing water. Turn around, don’t drown.

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Place your generator and any gasoline-powered engine outside at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent.

• Share health and safety information with friends and family using our multimedia toolkit: How to Help Loved Ones in Hurricane-Affected Areas.

State Assistance Information Line

The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting Florida.

The SAIL hotline is: 1-800-342-3557.

During an emergency, the SAIL hotline is operational daily at set hours depending on the severity of the event. Please stay tuned to your local officials and/or log on to the www.floridadisaster.org during an emergency event for exact hours of operation.

Know Where to Find Shelter

The time may arise when you may need to evacuate your home to go to a safer place. In certain situations, it may be safest for you to evacuate to a more secure location like a shelter. The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a list of open shelters on their website:

• Shelter Index Information

If you have a disability or a special need such as a medical condition, it’s vital that you register with your local emergency management office. All emergency management offices maintain a list of people within the community who have disabilities or special needs so they can be assisted quickly during an emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a list of open shelters on their website:

• Special Needs Shelters

If you are eligible for a special needs shelter your kit should include the following: a list of medications and dosage, a 30-day supply of medications, vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent, backup energy sources for essential medical equipment, any special dietary needs or food, and personal information including a photo ID, insurance card, emergency contacts and your primary care providers contact information. 

Boil Water Notices

Know when water is safe to drink is key to staying safe. For a list of locations under a boil water notice go to the following pages.

• Notices Page

• Notices Page (low-bandwidth)

Prescription Information

Under a State of Emergency, a pharmacist, in his or her professional judgment, may be able to refill prescriptions early. In accordance with Section 465.0275, F.S., pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-day supply of maintenance medication for a chronic condition. Read more at the Florida Board of Pharmacy.

Stay Connected

You can get helpful information from FDOH’s official social media accounts. One of the fastest ways to receive accurate health-related information is to monitor @HealthyFla on Twitter and on Facebook.

Stay Safe After the Strom

The storm might be over, but that doesn’t mean the danger is. Keep your loved ones safe after the storm by following the safety tips below.

• Be safe after a hurricane

• Stay out of floodwater

• Keep food and water safe

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

• Stay safe during a power outage

Health Care Provider Resources

• Emergency Information for Health Care Providers