As of October 2, response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene remain the top priorities, with Healthcare Ready actively supporting recovery across Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for this event.We are monitoring potential concerns for supply chain disruptions and impacts on healthcare services on our response page, listing resources and previous situation reports.
As of October 2, response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene remain the top priorities, with Healthcare Ready actively supporting recovery across Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
Much of western North Carolina is still experiencing dangerous conditions following the impact of Hurricane Helene. The movement of water, food, and power to that area is critical.
On October 2, the Biden Administration declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
On October 1, the Biden Administration declared a major disaster exists in the State of Georgia.
As a reminder, Healthcare Ready has activated RxOpen and shows pharmacies’ status in affected areas. The map will be updated twice daily while we are engaged for Hurricane Helene.
Impacts to Healthcare
Healthcare Infrastructure
The table below provides a snapshot of pharmacy status across the impacted states, as of October 2. This information was pulled from RxOpen.
As of October 2 at 2:00pm ET, here are the number of power outages reported in the affected states:
Florida: 38,561
Georgia: 338,236
South Carolina: 481,204
North Carolina: 397,744
Virginia: 38,062
Boil Water Advisories
Multiple counties across several states are currently under boil water advisories.
Florida boil water notice updates by county can be found here.
Georgia boil water advisory updates can be found here.
North Carolina boil water advisories issued by Carolina Water Service can be found here.
Tennessee boil water advisories can be found here.
Virginia boil water advisories as of October 1, can be found here.
The Georgia Board of Pharmacy released a statement reminding pharmacy licensees that they can provide refills of certain medications for up to 30 days due to Governor Kemp’s emergency declaration.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, during a state of emergency, emergency prescription refills are allowed. Additionally, out-of-state pharmacists may dispense prescription medications in affected counties during the time a state of emergency exists.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Insurance released a bulletin reminding health benefit plans of their obligation to comply with regulations for providing extra prescription refills during a declared state of emergency. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy issued an emergency services waiver allowing licensed pharmacists and nationally-certified pharmacy technicians from other states to practice in North Carolina during the state of emergency, provided they meet specific conditions.
CVS Caremark has enabled pharmacy claims for an emergency refill of a 10-day supply of medication for members in affected regions.
Independence Blue Cross has lifted prescription refill restrictions for members impacted in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama.
A list of open Red Cross shelters and disaster relief services, across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, can be found here.
A list of the Salvation Army mobile feeding units, across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, can be found here.
Impacts to Supply Chain
Transportation Waivers
Georgia Executive Order: Includes the state of emergency declaration and transportation waivers. On October 1, the governor issued an extension, which expires on October 9 unless renewed.
North Carolina Executive Order: Includes the state of emergency declaration and transportation waivers. It expires on October 8 unless renewed.
South Carolina Executive Order: Includes a state of emergency declaration and transportation waivers. It expires on January 22, 2025.
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles issued an official notice extending the of expirations dates for certain identification cards and vehicle registrations through November 1.
Tennessee Executive Order: Includes a state of emergency declaration and transportation waivers. It expires on November 10 unless renewed.
On September 30, the Tennessee Department of Revenue granted a temporary suspension of requirements for the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement for carriers engaged in interstate disaster relief efforts through October 30.
As of October 2, UPS has listed ZIP codes in North Carolina where services are impacted by Hurricane Helene.
As of October 2, FedEx has listed service status(no service and limited service) in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina due to Hurricane Helene.
Road Closures
As of October 2, road conditions remain dangerous in western North Carolina and access is limited to emergency response traffic.
There are shortages of water, food, gas, power, and communications in western North Carolina as it is difficult to move product and services in and out of there.
Updates on road closures in Florida can be found here.
Updates on road closures in Georgia can be found here.
Updates on road closures in South Carolina can be found here.
About Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to ensure patient access to healthcare in times of disaster, emergency, and disease outbreaks. We leverage unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters. Learn more about Healthcare Ready
Healthcare Ready leverages unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters.
Healthcare Ready is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Healthcare Ready's Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 46-3134601.
Healthcare Ready, 1325 G St NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, United States
