Health experts share storm safety tips as Helene approaches

The Gulf Coast region is on high alert as Hurricane Helene barrels toward the shoreline. Emergency management officials and meteorologists are urging residents to take immediate precautions and prepare for potentially severe impacts.

The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been closely monitoring the development of this system. Current forecasts suggest the storm could bring dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall and damaging winds to coastal areas.

Emergency management experts are emphasizing the importance of early preparation. Eric Alberts, assistant vice president of emergency management at Orlando Health, has advice for those in the storm’s path:

• Water Safety: Residents are advised to stock up on bottled water or water purification tablets. Flooding often compromises drinking water supplies, making this a critical step in storm preparation.
• Shelter Considerations: For those unable to evacuate, it’s recommended to seek shelter in an internal room without windows, such as a bathroom, during the height of the storm. Alberts reminds people that hospitals are not emergency shelters; you can find a list of emergency shelters in Pinellas County here.
• Financial Preparedness: Carrying cash is advised, as ATMs may run out of bills or become inoperable due to power outages.
• Evacuation Tips: Those planning to evacuate by air are encouraged to limit themselves to carry-on luggage only. This precaution helps prevent the loss of valuables in the event of flight cancellations or delays.
• Evacuation Urgency: Authorities are stressing the importance of heeding evacuation orders. “Don’t try to ride out the storm in an evacuation zone,” warns Alberts. “First responders will be stretched thin and may not be able to reach you, so it’s best to get out ahead of the storm.“
• Medical Preparedness: Healthcare professionals are urging residents to stock up on basic first aid items before the storm hits. Access to medical supplies may be limited once the hurricane makes landfall. “The barometric pressure can actually force expecting mothers to go into early labor, so there’s just so much, medically speaking, that could go wrong if we’re not careful and take care of ourselves, family and loved ones,” Alberts said.
• Flooding Dangers: “Six inches of fast-moving water could knock a human adult over. 12 inches of rushing water could carry a vehicle away,” Alberts said, warning residents not to walk or drive through flood waters, even if they appear shallow. “One of the biggest causes of death in these situations is drowning in association with flooding, so it’s worth being concerned about.”

Image: National Weather Service.

“Remember, now is the time to finish up your preparedness efforts,” Alberts added. “The system is quickly upon us this evening and through tomorrow, but it’s not too late to get your prescription medications and copies of your important documents like insurance, social security card, birth certificate and bank information. Having access to critical items and valuables like keys and important photos, you can’t lose stuff like that, [so] now is the time to make sure you get all that.”

Alberts emphasizes that while it’s easy to focus on the “linear” storm predictions, the approaching storm system is exceptionally large, with potential impacts extending far beyond its projected path.

“It’s going to be one of the largest systems on record. Tropical storm force winds right now extend 275 miles from the center of the system,” Alberts notes. “So traditionally when you wouldn’t see impacts in our area, you would with this because it’s so large.”

Alberts also highlighted the risks after the storm passes, noting that healthcare professionals often see injuries resulting from cleanup efforts, infections from contaminated floodwaters or mosquitoes, food poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning, and dehydration and cardiovascular issues from overexertion in the heat. 

“It’s not necessarily just during the hurricane or the impacts of it that’s a cause for concern; it’s also after, in our response to it,” Alberts cautions. “Be mindful of where you’re at, what you’re doing, and if you’re feeling exerted, overstressed or overheated, it’s time to stop and take care of yourself.”

Alberts added that the hospital often sees injuries due to people coming into contact with downed power lines. Experts warn that you should always assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 to 50 feet away from downed power lines and anything they touch, as electricity can travel through other objects. Additional power line safety tips are available online here.

Related reading:

• Mayor urges residents to heed evacuation orders
• Pinellas officials brace for ‘unprecedented storm surge’

Other Resources:

• NOAA Helene resources
• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• Know Your Zone – Pinellas
• Shelter List
• Pinellas County Emergency Information

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