FHCA Hurricane Preparedness
Protecting Florida’s Most Vulnerable
Providing quality care for Florida’s seniors includes ensuring that their safety and well-being remain a priority during hurricanes and other natural disasters. Florida Health Care Association member facilities follow strict hurricane preparedness protocols to keep residents safe before, during, and after a storm.
Days Out
Review plans, facility hardening, check supplies
Days Out
Coordinate with County and Local Emergency Management
Days Out
Monitor supplies, maintain emergency communications
Days Out
Plans for evacuations or shelter-in-place
Day Out
Final generator checks
During The Storm
Monitor conditions, respond as needed
Post Storm Recovery
Safety assessments, utility checks, connect families
Advocating for Stronger Protection
FHCA also works to educate the public and key long term care stakeholders about transfer trauma, which is known as the negative psychological and emotional impact on longer care residents when they are moved to a new environment, particularly during an emergency evacuation. This can include changes in behavior, mood and physical health. Skilled nursing facilities are required by the federal government to have a system for Trauma Informed Care delivery to ensure staff are trained and able to assess residents who may suffer from trauma.
Protecting Florida’s seniors and individuals with disabilities and the staff who care for them is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to continuous improvements in hurricane preparedness and response.
For media inquiries or additional information please contact Kristen Knapp, FHCA Sr. Director of Strategy & Communications, at kknapp@fhca.org.
Evacuating a Long Term Care Center
During weather emergencies, nursing centers and assisted living facilities work with their local and county emergency management offices on decisions to evacuate or shelter-in-in place. Florida’s long term care centers are required to have a comprehensive plan that ensures the safety and well-being of residents during evacuations. Those plans include coordinating with local authorities, preparing equipment, and ensuring medical preparedness, including packing "go bags" with essential supplies and medical records.
Comprehensive Evacuation Plans include the following:
Conducting regular evacuation drills to familiarize staff and residents with procedures.
Clearly identifying and mapping out evacuation routes, including alternate routes in case the primary route is blocked.
Determining if sheltering in place is an option and developing a plan for that scenario, including ensuring adequate supplies and resources.
Establishing a clear communication plan to inform residents, families, and staff about the evacuation or sheltering in place decision, and provide updates during the event.
Designating clear roles and responsibilities for decision-making during an emergency, including who will make the decision to evacuate or shelter in place.
Planning for transportation to a safe location, including utilizing facility-owned vehicles and coordinating with transportation companies and local emergency services and ensuring that vehicles are available, fueled and can accommodate the needs of residents.
During weather emergencies, skilled nursing centers are required to establish transfer agreements with receiving facilities to ensure timely and appropriate transfer of residents. Receiving facilities will serve to house residents and staff during a required emergency evacuation.
Coordinating with local emergency services to ensure a smooth and efficient evacuation.
Preparing for the Evacuation
Ensuring that the facility has adequate emergency equipment, such as first-aid kits, radios, and generators.
Having a plan in place for managing medical needs during the evacuation, including ensuring that residents' medications and medical records are readily available.
Preparing "go bags" for each resident, containing essential supplies, medications, and medical records.
Training staff on emergency procedures, including evacuation protocols, first aid, and CPR.
Ensuring that the facility has reliable communication equipment, such as radios and cell phones, to stay in contact with emergency services and families.
Ensuring that all evacuating residents’ medical records, medications, and necessary medical equipment are packed and readily accessible.
During the Evacuation
Prioritizing the safety of residents and staff during the evacuation.
Adhering to the established evacuation plan and procedures.
Assisting residents who need help evacuating, including those with mobility limitations or medical needs.
Remaining calm and providing reassurance to residents and staff.
Following the instructions of emergency responders.
Documenting all aspects of the evacuation, including the time of evacuation, the number of residents evacuated, and any incidents that occurred.
Sheltering-in-Place for Long Term Care Centers
In some instances, nursing centers and assisted living facilities will shelter-in-place during a weather emergency. Those decisions are made in coordination with their local and county emergency management office with a priority focus on keeping residents and staff safe.
Florida nursing centers and assisted living facilities are required to have emergency backup systems to power critical life safety equipment, ensure safe indoor temperatures to keep residents cool in the event of a power outage and maintain a stockpile of food and water to ensure residents’ safety and well-being.
Sheltering-in-place planning and preparation includes the following:
Verify that generators are in good working order and ensure fuel tanks are full. Make arrangements to be re-supplied with fuel as needed for up to 7-10 days.
Choose an interior room, preferably on the lowest level, with minimal windows or vents, and adequate space for all residents, including those residents the facility may be receiving if a designated “transfer facility”.
Stockpile non-perishable food, bottled water, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and any necessary medications.
Ensure everyone understands the shelter-in-place plan, including the designated safe area and what to do during the storm.
Consider the needs of residents who require special assistance, such as those with mobility issues or medical conditions, and plan accordingly.
Print key resident documentation related to their care needs. This includes Resident Face Sheets, Medication Administration Records (MARS), Treatment Administration Records (TARs) and code status orders, as well as dietary tray tickets to confirm residents' dietary needs.
Five-Day Storm Readiness Timeline
Ahead of a storm's projected landfall, long term care centers follow a structured timeline to assure full preparedness.
5 Days Out
- Review emergency response plans
- Confirm food, water, and medical stockpiles
- Notify local and county emergency management officials
- Verify generator functionality and secure fuel
- Secure windows and check roofing
- Confirm evacuation partnerships
4 Days Out
- Ensure emergency kits are accessible
- Finalize structural reinforcements
- Double-check generator readiness
- Monitor evacuation zone notices
- Continue coordination with authorities
3 Days Out
- Reconfirm power sources
- Continue monitoring evacuation notices
- Final pre-storm facility inspections
- Provide status updates to families
2 Days Out
- Make final supply checks
- Coordinate evacuation decisions
- Ensure fuel reserves are full
- Provide updated information to contacts
- Secure final structural protections
1 Day Out
- Last-minute generator test and fuel check
- Final updates to emergency teams
- Finalize all preparations
- Brief staff on storm expectations