Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida’s northern Big Bend region on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of about 80 miles per hour. The slow-moving weather event, now downgraded to a tropical storm, has already resulted in at least four deaths and is unleashing torrential rain, strong winds, and potentially life-threatening storm surges across northern Florida and coastal Georgia.

Tropical Storm Debby is projected to continue heading northward through Georgia towards South Carolina.

According to PowerOutage.us, which tracks over 150 million customers in the United States, about 245,000 customers are without power in Florida. Power is a critical aspect of healthcare, as many lifesaving devices rely on electricity, and safety net providers need reliable power to provide patient care during and after a disaster.

Millions remain under tropical alerts, with experts warning of catastrophic flooding as the storm progresses. The storm has already dropped over 16 inches of rain in parts of Florida’s Manatee County.

Direct Relief Response

In response, Direct Relief has been in contact with national and state emergency response associations as well as safety net health centers in the storm’s path.

Eleven health centers currently in the storm’s forecast cone have received Hurricane Preparedness Packs, which include medicines and supplies that are most urgently needed in the wake of a hurricane, such as treatments for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered $69 thousand in requested medical aid to 23 healthcare providers in Florida counties affected by the storm. Items range from baby formula to treatments for diabetes and high blood pressure.

So far in 2024, Direct Relief has provided health facilities in Florida with more than $20 million in medical aid and financial support.