As of October 8, recovery efforts for the impacts of Hurricane Helene are ongoing in the affected regions. Healthcare Ready is continuing to support in routing requests and needs, updating Rx Open, and sharing critical information to support response and recovery efforts.
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 8, recovery efforts for the impacts of Hurricane Helene are ongoing in the affected regions. Healthcare Ready is continuing to support in routing requests and needs, updating Rx Open, and sharing critical information to support response and recovery efforts.
We anticipate this will be our final situation report on Hurricane Helene.
As of October 5, the Administration for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolina and Tennessee. More information on this program can be found here.
Healthcare Ready is continuing to update the RxOpen map daily to show pharmacy status in South Carolina and North Carolina.
As of October 8, at 12:30pm ET, the number of power outages are continuing to decline in the affected states:
Georgia: 59,380
South Carolina: 20,332
North Carolina: 108,528
Emergency Prescription Refills
As of October 5, the Administration for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolina and Tennessee. More information on this program can be found here.
Tennessee
Under Executive Order (EO) No. 105, during a state of emergency, pharmacists are allowed to dispense a 30-day supply of a prescription drug without proper authorization to affected individuals of Hurricane Helene.
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.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a regional transportation waiver and extension of state and federal declaration’s regulatory relief for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It expires on October 27 unless renewed.
As of October 8, UPS has listed two ZIP codes in North Carolina, encompassing areas in Rutherford County, where services are impacted by Hurricane Helene.
As of October 8, FedEx has listed service status (limited service) in parts of North Carolina and Florida, due to Hurricane Helene.
Road Closures
As of October 8, road conditions remain dangerous in western North Carolina and road use should be for essential travel only. Updates on road closures 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
