As of October 11, response and recovery efforts are still underway in Florida after Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night and produced significant rainfall and left millions without power. Healthcare Ready will continue to publish situation reports with updated information. The next situation reports can be expected on Sunday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 15.
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 11, response and recovery efforts are still underway in Florida after Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night and produced significant rainfall and left millions without power. Healthcare Ready will continue to publish situation reports with updated information.
The next situation reports can be expected on Sunday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 15.
The table below provides a snapshot of pharmacy status across the potentially impacted areas, as of October 11. This information was pulled from RxOpen.
RxOpen is showing minimal Closures and Unknowns through the panhandle, as well as a limited number of Closed and Unknown pharmacies in South Florida, much less than what was anticipated. As expected, the majority of the impacts to pharmacy operations lie along the western edge of the state, particularly in the Fort Myers and Tampa areas. Impacts are reaching inland to the east of these impacted areas, with significant Unknowns through Lakeland and clusters of Closures in Orlando. Along the eastern edge of the state, we are also seeing significant Closures and Unknowns in Palm Bay through Palm Beach Gardens.
On October 11, the State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-004, waiving out-of-state practitioner licensure and telehealth registration requirements. This order enhances Emergency Order 24-003, which authorizes medical transportation services from other states, permits out-of-state paramedics to provide services in Florida, and allows pharmacies to operate in multiple or mobile locations.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued blanket waivers and other flexibilities through the end of the Hurricane Milton PHE declaration for Florida. Information on those waivers and flexibilities can be found here.
Emergency Prescription Refills
In Florida, under a state of emergency, individuals are permitted to receive early prescription refills.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) issued a Health Care Alert that waives all prior authorization requirements for critical Medicaid services. Early prescription refill edits have been lifted for all maintenance medications.
Healthcare Infrastructure
As of October 11, 755 health care facilities are without power. This includes 434 assisted living facilities, 155 nursing homes, 41 hospitals, and other health care facilities. This represents a significant increase from October 10, when 165 healthcare facilities, including 223 assisted living facilities, 76 nursing homes, 21 hospitals, and other sites, were without power.
Additionally, 406 health care facilities have reported evacuations. This included 222 assisted living facilities, 76 nursing homes, 21 hospitals, and other health care facilities.
HCA Florida Healthcare has listed 10 facilities that are either closed or temporarily closed. That list can be found here.
A list of open shelters in Florida can be found here.
Florida has alsopartnered with Uber and Lyftto provide residents in mandatory evacuation zones free rides returning home local shelters.
Boile Water Advisories
As of October 11, multiple counties in Florida are under boiling water advisories, updated notices by county can be foundhere.
Impacts to Supply Chain
Most fuel stations in Florida are open and the supply of fuel is steady. The state has been providing escorts for tanker trucks and 16 tankers are scheduled to arrive in Florida over the next week.
Fuel stations that are currently closed are dealing with access and power outage issues.
IV Solutions
As of October 11, the Braun IV solutions manufacturing site and distribution centerin Daytona Beach, Florida, have resumed operations. B. Braun is working with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to return evacuated products to the distribution center.
Transportation Waivers
On October 6, the Florida State Surgeon General issued a curfew letter for businesses providing health care deliver services, supplies, and pharmaceuticals in response to Hurricane Milton.
On October 7, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued Emergency Order 24-06. It suspends the enforcement of registration requirements for vehicles providing emergency services or supplies.
As of October 7, Governor DeSantis suspended tolls across Central and West Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will suspend toll collection from October 7 through October 14.
On October 6, FDOT issued Emergency Order 24-12 which waived and suspended size and weight restrictions for vehicles responding to Hurricane Milton.
On October 6, FDOT released an Emergency Road Use Permit for vehicles transporting goods from seaports impacted by the port strikes. The permit is also issued for the purpose of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton emergency response.
On October 6, FDOT released an Enforcement Bulletin determining what sort of supplies (besides emergency equipment, services, and supplies) would be covered by the Emergency Road Use Permit.
FDOT has also coordinated with Georgia and Alabama to allow bypassing of weigh stations for emergency response vehicles.
Ports
As of October 11, JaxPort (Jacksonville) has resumed operations.
As of October 11, Port Tampa Bay is continuing to assess damages in the hopes to resume operations quickly. While flooding was not a major issue, power outages continue to persist.
Miami International Airport is currently open but delays and cancellations may occur due to Hurricane Milton.
Logistics
As of October 11,FedExhas stated delays and disruptions can be expected along the west coast of Florida due to Hurricane Milton.
As of October 11,UPShas listed out all the ZIP codes in Florida where services are impacted due to Hurricane Milton.
Road Closures
Updates on any road closures in Florida 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.
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