Tropical Storm Hermine has accelerated into a hurricane on its approach to Florida. Expected to reach land by Thursday night or early Friday morning, Hermine will be the first hurricane in 11 years to hit Florida.
A storm of Hermine’s strength presents several risks. Heavy rainfall causes deadly flooding. Hurricane-force winds topple power lines and trees, causing widespread power outages and damaged infrastructure. Tornadoes also pose a threat as the storm moves inland and up the coast.
Hermine already has caused extensive flooding along Florida’s Gulf Coast, prompting evacuation orders in several coastal communities.
Direct Relief’s Response
Direct Relief has extended offers of essential resources – chronic disease medications, antibiotics, wound and personal care supplies, and vaccines — to 59 health facilities in the storm’s projected path.
In emergency situations involving mass evacuations, persons with chronic medical conditions – primarily diabetes, asthma, and hypertension – are particularly at risk of a medical emergency if the medications they depend on are unavailable.
Before hurricane season, and in anticipation of such scenarios, Direct Relief prepositioned hurricane modules with 50 healthcare facilities in hurricane-prone regions of the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts.
Each module holds enough medical supplies to treat 100 patients for a variety of conditions, from basic trauma injuries to chronic illnesses, for a 72-hour period, during which follow-on support can be mobilized.
Seven of these modules are now stationed along Hermine’s projected path.
Tracking Hurricane Hermine
To view the live track of the storm in relation to Direct Relief’s partners, click on the map below.
Direct Relief will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves, and stands ready to respond to a likely emergency situation.
