Medical prep essentials: How to build a hurricane emergency kit

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - With September marking the peak of hurricane season, local medical professionals are urging families across the Coastal Empire to prepare their medical needs well before a storm threatens the coast.

Health care workers with Memorial Health emphasize that preparing ahead of time can prevent severe complications, particularly if an evacuation is ordered.

Officials recommend assembling a dedicated medical go-bag that includes:

• A two-week supply of all current prescription medications
• A printed list of medications and dosages
• Hard copies of health insurance cards and identification
• A basic first-aid kit
• Bottled water and nonperishable food
• Flashlights and protective face masks
• Comfort items for children

Emily Burnside, injury prevention and disaster coordinator at Memorial Health, stressed the value of physical documentation over digital records when traveling during an evacuation.

“It’s good to have a hard copy in case you do evacuate,” Burnside said. “You may have to go to a pharmacist that’s outside of your community and not nearby. So you would want to take that prescription instead of having something called in.”

Burnside also advised residents to set up and update the Medical ID feature on their smartphones. Emergency room and trauma staff can access those details—including emergency contacts, allergies, and blood type—even if the device remains locked.

For households with children, establishing a clear family action plan is critical in case family members are separated during severe weather.

“Make sure that kids know their parents’ contact numbers, their first and last name, their parents’ first and last name,” said Jadan Santoyo, pediatric injury prevention coordinator at Memorial Health. “If they get separated from the family, teach them what to do in a situation like that.”

Medical staff noted that many storm-related injuries happen before and after a hurricane during preparation and cleanup. Officials also warned residents using portable generators to never run them inside a home or inside an enclosed garage, which can cause lethal carbon monoxide poisoning or fire hazards.