Emergency Information

The Florida Department of Health supports local and state responses to public health needs resulting from hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather conditions.

Be Prepared Before the Storm

Remember that severe weather can impact your access to power and water. 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.

State Assistance Information Line

The State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 can provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergencies.

800-342-3557

During an emergency, the hotline is operational daily at set hours depending on the severity of the event.

Be sure to stay updated on what your local officials and visit the FloridaDisaster.org during an emergency event.

Know Where to Find Shelter

The time may arise when you may need to evacuate your home to go to a safe location. In certain situations, it may be safest for you to evacuate to a shelter. The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a list of open shelters:

• Shelter Index Information

Special Needs Shelters

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. 

• Contacts by County - Needs Information
• Special Needs Shelter - Registry

If you are eligible for a special needs shelter, your kit should include:

• List of medications and dosage and a 30-day supply of medications.
• Vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent.
• Backup energy sources (such as batteries) for essential medical equipment.
• Special dietary needs or food, if needed.
• Personal information including a photo ID, insurance card, emergency contacts and your primary care provider's contact information. 

Boil Water Notices

Know when water is safe to use:

• Boil Water Notice(s)
• Text Only - Boil Water Notice(s) (low-bandwidth version)

Early Prescription Refills Permitted Under State of Emergency

This notice is a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358, Florida Statutes, which allows early prescription refills in the event the Governor issues an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency. This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s Executive Order is rescinded or expires.

Prescription Information

Under a State of Emergency, a pharmacist 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. However, a 30-day prescription for a medicinal drug listed in Schedule II appearing in chapter 893 is not permitted under section 465.0275, F.S. 

In the event a pharmacist receives a request for a prescription refill and are unable to obtain refill authorization from the prescriber, the pharmacist may dispense a one-time emergency refill of up to a 72-hour supply of the prescribed medication; or a one-time emergency refill of one vial of insulin to treat diabetes mellitus, irrespective of the issuance of an executive order.

Emergency Information Factsheets

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

Emergency Orders

• 20xx — Templet

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2023 — Hurricane Idalia (Invest 93L)

• 8/30/2023 - DOH Emergency Order 23-003 - Waiver of State Licensure Requirements, and Waiver of Telehealth Registration Requirement
• 8/29/2023 - Executive Order 23-174
• 8/28/2023 - DOH Emergency Order 23-002 - Mobile Pharmacies, Moving Pharmacies, and Reporting Prescription Drugs
• 8/28/2023 - DOH Emergency Order 23-001 - Procurement, Emergency Medical Transport Certification, and Waiver of State Licensure Requirements
• 8/28/2023 - Executive Order 23-172
• 8/26/2023 - Executive Order 23-171 - State of Emergency for 33 Counties, Urges Floridians to Prepare

2022 — Hurricane Nicole

• 11/10/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-007 - Emergency Medical Service Provider Certification
• 11/9/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-006 - Procurement
• 11/7/2022 - Executive Order 22-253 - State of Emergency for 34 Counties, Urges Floridians to Prepare

2022 — Hurricane Ian

• 11/21/2022 - Executive Order 22-268 - Extended the State of Emergency for Hurricane Ian for an additional 60 days
• 10/05/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-005
• 9/28/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-004
• 9/28/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-003
• 9/27/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-002
• 9/26/2022 - DOH Emergency Order 22-001
• 9/24/2022 - Executive Order 22-219 - Expanding the State of Emergency statewide for Tropical Storm Ian
• 9/23/2022 - Executive Order 22-218 - State of Emergency for 24 Counties, Urges Floridians to Prepare

2021 — Hurricane Elsa

• 7/6/2021 - DOH Emergency Order 21-003 - Purchasing