HURRICANE GUIDE
Floridians know that being prepared is a way of life. Here are some helpful links that will help you during emergency situations:
Weather Emergency Toll Free Hotline:
1-866-835-1822
American Red Cross: (386) 226-1408
This Weather Emergency Hotline number becomes activated when we are threatened by a weather emergency and we anticipate calls from the community regarding emergency shelters, evacuation to hospitals, special transportation needs, how to handle family members on oxygen, etc. This number will be manned by an information specialist help our neighbors weather the storm as safely as possible.
Hospital's Role During a Weather Emergency
Hospitals Are Not Shelters
The hospital becomes extremely busy during a weather emergency. In addition to serving acute care patients, housing an active emergency department, and providing shelter for active and on-call staff and their families, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial takes in evacuated patients from neighboring hospitals on the coast.
Special Needs Shelters
The hospital does not shelter those with special needs and is not an emergency shelter. Special Needs and Emergency Shelters are designated by the Volusia County’s Emergency Operations Center on television and radio public service announcements at the time of the emergency. A person with special needs is anyone who requires minor medical assistance and is accompanied by a caregiver. It is recommended that people with special needs make arrangements to stay with family out of the area prior to the emergency.
To register for Special Needs, call Volusia County Emergency Management at (386) 254-1500 and request the “Emergency Evacuation Registry”.
Call (386) 239-6360; (386) 822-6652; or (386) 426-7346 for maps and directions to shelters.
When Utilizing a Special Needs Shelter
- • Special Needs Shelters do not have pharmacies. Take all medications and medical supplies, including inhalers.
- • Oxygen dependents must take oxygen concentrators with them.
- • Oxygen dependents must notify their oxygen supplier and alert them to where they will be sheltered and ensure the supplier will deliver their oxygen needs.
- • A caregiver or family member must accompany a person with special needs.
- • Take comfort supplies and your house key.
- • Make arrangements for transportation.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation service that assists people in evacuation times, including those with special needs, can be reached at (386) 943-7050.
Attention Assisted Living Facility Residents
If you reside at an Assisted Living Facility, ensure your organization had identified a secondary Assisted Living Facility or another secondary location should evacuation be necessary.
Attention Retirement Center Residents
If you reside at a Retirement Facility, ensure your organization has identified a secondary location. Unless medical attention is required, a hospital should not be the alternative location.
Home Care Assistance
When a weather warning had been designated, Home Care Nurses do not go into the field and visit patients until an all clear is given. All patients are called however and all Home Care patients are asked to have an evacuation plan and a secondary location designated. All oxygen dependent patients should call their designated medical equipment company and get 4 cylinders delivered to them.
Home Care Services can be reached at (386) 851-0777.
Services Canceled
In a weather emergency, all outpatient services and elective surgeries are canceled. Please call (386) 917-5429.
Media Information
Listen to
NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions.
If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
For the latest information, tune in to these TV stations or go to their websites:
WESH CH 2 - Orlando
WKMG CH 6 - Orlando
WFTV CH 9 - Orlando
CW18 WKCF - Orlando
WOFL FOX 35 - Orlando
WRBW MY 65 - Orlando