As of October 9, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida as a major hurricane. Milton is projected to bring devasting hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and catastrophic flooding to the west coast of Florida and further inland.
Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for this event.We are monitoring potential concerns for supply chain disruptions and impacts on healthcare services on our Alert Hub.
Contents
Situation Overview and Key Updates
Potential Impacts to Healthcare
Potential Impacts to Supply Chain
Situation Overview and Key Updates
As of October 9, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida as a major hurricane. Milton is projected to bring devasting hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and catastrophic flooding to the west coast of Florida and further inland.
On October 6, Florida Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties due to Hurricane Milton. It amended Executive Order 24-214 which had originally declared a state of emergency for 35 counties.
Potential Impacts to Healthcare
Emergency Prescription Refills
In Florida, under a state of emergency, individuals are permitted to receive early prescription refills.
On October 7, the Agency for Health Care Administration 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.
A list of mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders for Florida can be found here.
As of October 8, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) is operating free evacuation shuttles in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties.
Florida has also partnered with Uber to provide residents in mandatory evacuation zones free rides to local shelters.
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.
Ports
As of October 9, JaxPort (Jacksonville) will be fully closed Wednesday and Thursday. The port plans to reopen Friday morning after damage assessments are made.
As of October 8, Port Tampa Bay has halted inbound and outbound vessel traffic however landside operations are continuing. It is likely they will cease once Milton makes landfall.
Port Miami is monitoring Hurricane Milton as it approaches the west coast of Florida. As of October 7, port operations remain open.
Updates on any road closures in Florida can be found here.
If you become aware of situations that may adversely affect healthcare supply or patient care from this event, or if you would like to request assistance, please contact the Healthcare Ready Support Team at Alerts@HealthcareReady.org or call (866) 247-2694.
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