Hurricane Preparedness
for Seniors in Northeast Florida
A complete resource guide for adults 65+ in Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, and Putnam counties — sandbags, debris removal, shelters, senior outreach, faith-based assistance, and Medicare coverage during disasters.
Active storm approaching? Call your county Emergency Management office immediately and check local evacuation orders before doing anything else.
Why Seniors Face Greater Hurricane Risk
Adults 65 and older are disproportionately affected by hurricanes. According to FEMA, seniors account for a majority of hurricane-related fatalities — not because of the storm itself, but because of what happens in the days and weeks after: power outages affecting medical equipment, disrupted medication supplies, heat exposure, and isolation.
Northeast Florida sits in one of the most hurricane-active regions in the country. Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, and Putnam counties have all experienced direct hits and near-misses from major storms. Preparation is not optional — it is the difference between a manageable disruption and a life-threatening emergency.
This page is designed to be your single resource for everything you need — before, during, and after a storm — organized by county so you can find exactly what applies to your situation.
Pre-register for Special Needs Shelter
If you use medical equipment or have mobility limitations
Stock 7–14 days of medications
Pharmacies may be closed for days after a major storm
Register for Medical Baseline with your utility
Priority restoration for customers with life-sustaining equipment
Contact your Area Agency on Aging
Register for pre-storm wellness checks and post-storm assistance
Know your evacuation zone
Check your county website — zones change as storms approach
Senior Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
Complete this checklist before hurricane season begins — not when a storm is approaching. Many of these items take days to obtain once a storm is forecast.
Documents & Records
- Medicare card (original or copy)
- Medicare Advantage or Supplement insurance card
- Part D prescription drug card
- List of all medications with dosages and prescribing doctors
- List of all doctors with phone numbers
- Photo ID and Social Security card (copies)
- Insurance policies (home, auto, life)
- Bank account information
- Emergency contact list
- Power of attorney and advance directive documents
Medications & Medical Equipment
- 7–14 day supply of all prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications (pain relievers, antacids, allergy meds)
- Extra batteries for hearing aids
- Backup power source for CPAP or BiPAP machine
- Extra oxygen supplies if on home oxygen
- Blood pressure cuff and glucometer with extra supplies
- Eyeglasses and backup pair if possible
- Mobility aids (cane, walker, wheelchair) secured for transport
- Medical alert device charged and packed
Emergency Supplies (72-Hour Kit)
- 1 gallon of water per person per day (minimum 3-day supply)
- Non-perishable food for 3–7 days (easy-open cans, no-cook options)
- Manual can opener
- Flashlights with extra batteries (or hand-crank)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit
- Cash in small bills (ATMs may be down)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks and plastic sheeting
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
Home Preparation
- Install hurricane shutters or board windows with plywood
- Bring in outdoor furniture, plants, and decorations
- Fill bathtubs with water for flushing toilets
- Charge all devices and backup batteries
- Fill your car with gas before the storm
- Sandbag doorways and garage doors in flood-prone areas
- Know your evacuation zone (check county website)
- Know your nearest shelter location
- Notify a trusted neighbor or family member of your plans
- Pre-register for Special Needs Shelter if applicable
County-by-County Resources
Click your county to expand the full resource directory — emergency management, sandbags, debris removal, shelters, senior outreach, faith-based assistance, and utility contacts.
Statewide & National Emergency Resources
These resources are available to all Florida seniors regardless of county.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Statewide disaster coordination, shelter finder, and recovery resources.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
Apply for federal disaster assistance after a presidentially declared disaster.
American Red Cross — Florida
Emergency shelter, food, and disaster recovery assistance statewide.
ElderSource (NE Florida Area Agency on Aging)
Serves Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Putnam, Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, and Union counties.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
24/7 crisis counseling for disaster-related emotional distress. Call or text.
Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER)
Emergency dialysis location finder for patients whose dialysis center is closed due to a storm.
Medicare During a Hurricane: Your Questions Answered
Hurricanes create unique Medicare challenges — lost cards, disrupted medications, closed providers. Here is what you need to know.
Before, During & After: A Senior's Timeline
Before the Storm
- 1Pre-register for Special Needs Shelter if you have medical equipment or mobility limitations
- 2Stock 7–14 days of all prescription medications
- 3Register for Medical Baseline with your electric utility
- 4Contact your Area Agency on Aging to register for wellness checks
- 5Know your evacuation zone and nearest shelter
- 6Fill your car with gas and have cash on hand
- 7Charge all devices and backup batteries
- 8Get sandbags if you are in a flood-prone area
- 9Bring in all outdoor items
- 10Notify a trusted person of your plans
During the Storm
- 1If ordered to evacuate, leave immediately — do not wait
- 2Go to your designated shelter or pre-arranged safe location
- 3Stay away from windows and exterior walls
- 4Do not use generators, grills, or camp stoves indoors
- 5Do not walk or drive through floodwater
- 6Keep your phone charged and monitor emergency alerts
- 7If you shelter in place, stay in an interior room on the lowest floor above flood level
- 8Have your emergency kit, medications, and documents accessible
- 9Do not call 911 for non-life-threatening issues during the storm
After the Storm
- 1Do not return home until officials say it is safe
- 2Check in with family and neighbors — especially isolated seniors
- 3Document all damage with photos before cleanup
- 4Contact your homeowner's insurance immediately
- 5Apply for FEMA assistance if a disaster is declared: 1-800-621-3362
- 6Contact your Area Agency on Aging for debris removal assistance
- 7Refill medications — Part D plans must provide emergency supplies
- 8Watch for heat exhaustion if power is out
- 9Be alert for contractor scams — use licensed contractors only
- 10Contact your Medicare broker if your coverage was disrupted
Related Resources on This Site
Everything you need to be prepared — Medicare, senior resources, and local guides.
Is Your Medicare Coverage Ready for Hurricane Season?
A hurricane is not the time to discover your Medicare plan has gaps. I help Northeast Florida seniors review their coverage, understand their emergency rights, and make sure they are protected before storm season hits.
William Gray · Independent Medicare Broker · FL License W690237
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to get information on all of your options.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is an advertisement for insurance. William Gray and affiliated licensed agents are independent insurance agents, not government employees or representatives. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
Not all plans or types of coverage may be available in your area. Plan availability, benefits, and premiums vary by county and ZIP code. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. Benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing may change on January 1 of each year.
Independent Agent & Compensation Disclosure. William Gray is an independent licensed insurance agent (FL License #W690237) and is not employed by or exclusively affiliated with any single insurance company. William is compensated by insurance carriers when you enroll in a plan. This compensation does not affect the premium you pay — your premium is the same whether you enroll through a broker or directly with the carrier. Affiliated agents are independent contractors solely responsible for their own conduct and representations.