For residents of South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast, hurricane preparedness is not a hypothetical. The Pine Belt and Hattiesburg area sit squarely in the path of storms that move inland from the Gulf, and even storms that make landfall further west or east can cause extended power outages, flooded roads, and cut off supply chains.
The medication piece of hurricane prep is one of the most critical and most overlooked. People focus on food and water while their prescription medications sit in a bathroom cabinet. This is the checklist that closes that gap.
Build Your Kit Before You Need It
The pharmacy gets flooded with emergency refill requests the moment a storm forms in the Gulf. Insurance companies often have rules about early fills. Some medications have supply limits. Building your medication component of a hurricane kit when there is no emergency is the only way to have what you need when there is one.
The basic rule: keep at least a two week supply of all maintenance medications at all times. This buffer is recommended by both Ochsner Health and the constellation of FEMA aligned emergency preparedness resources. A two week supply means that if a storm disrupts supply chains, evacuations remove you from your pharmacy, and pharmacies close for several days, you are still covered.
Prescription Medications: The Core
The most critical component of your hurricane kit is your prescription medications. These are not optional, and the consequences of running out, particularly for chronic conditions, are medically serious.
What to do:
- Request early fills from your pharmacy when a storm is approaching, most pharmacies and insurers make accommodations. Do not wait until 24 hours before landfall.
- Keep original labeled containers, during evacuation, particularly if crossing state lines or staying in a shelter, medication containers with your name, prescriber, and drug name allow substitute fills at other pharmacies if needed.
- Document all medications. A printed or photographed list of every medication, dose, prescriber, and pharmacy is invaluable if you lose the actual medications and need replacements after a storm.
Priority medications that must be in the kit:
- Heart and blood pressure medications (missing doses of antihypertensives can trigger dangerous rebound hypertension)
- Insulin and diabetes medications (pay particular attention to insulin temperature requirements, see below)
- Thyroid medication (levothyroxine)
- Blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban)
- Seizure medications
- Psychiatric medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers), these have serious discontinuation effects
- Asthma inhalers and nebulizer medications
- Any medication prescribed for a chronic condition
Temperature Sensitive Medications: Plan for Power Loss
Extended power outages mean no refrigeration. This is a critical issue for:
- Insulin: Most insulins are stable at room temperature for 28 days after opening (check your specific product). Unopened vials and pens can withstand up to 8 hours without refrigeration safely, but longer storage requires cooling. Insulated medication pouches (FRIO coolers) use evaporative cooling without electricity and are a worthwhile investment for any insulin dependent patient in hurricane country.
- Certain eye drops, some biologics, and specialty medications: Check with your pharmacist about your specific medications' stability outside refrigeration before the storm season.
- Inhalers: Store them in a cool place, aerosol canisters can be affected by extreme heat, and South Mississippi post storm heat is extreme.
OTC Medications and Supplies for the Kit
Beyond prescriptions, a pharmacist curated OTC component of your hurricane kit should include:
Pain and fever:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), preferred over NSAIDs given broader use safety
- Ibuprofen (backup, for adults)
- Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen if applicable
GI management:
- Anti diarrheal (loperamide / Imodium), waterborne illness and stressed eating often cause GI issues post storm
- Antacid (Tums, famotidine)
- Oral rehydration salts (Pedialyte packets), especially with children or elderly family members
Wound care:
- Antiseptic (Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptic spray)
- Adhesive bandages of multiple sizes
- Sterile gauze and medical tape
- Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or generic)
- Tweezers (for debris removal)
Allergy and respiratory:
- Antihistamine (loratadine or cetirizine)
- Nasal decongestant
- Spare rescue inhaler for asthma patients
Additional medical items:
- Digital thermometer (with extra batteries)
- Blood glucose meter and extra test strips if diabetic
- CPAP machine with travel backup battery, post storm power loss is the primary reason CPAP users stop therapy; discuss battery backup options with your equipment provider
- Hearing aid batteries
Documentation:
- Medication list (laminated or in waterproof bag)
- Insurance cards and Medicare/Medicaid cards
- List of allergies and key medical conditions
- Contact information for all prescribers and pharmacies
Storage and Organization
- Store the kit in a waterproof container (hard sided storage tote with locking lid)
- Keep medications out of bathrooms (humidity is bad for most drugs) and away from extreme heat
- Label the kit clearly and ensure every family member knows where it is
- Review and update the kit at the start of each hurricane season (June 1)
What to Do if You Have to Evacuate Without Your Kit
If you evacuate and realize your medication kit is not with you:
- Call your home pharmacy and ask them to transfer your prescription to a pharmacy near your evacuation location
- Most state emergency declarations allow pharmacists to dispense emergency fills of maintenance medications, bring your original labeled container or your medication list
- FEMA and state emergency management offices sometimes set up emergency pharmacy dispensing points during major disasters
When to Talk to a Pharmacist
Do this before hurricane season (June 1) each year:
- Review your current medication list and identify which ones need early refill planning
- Ask about 90 day supply options for maintenance medications
- Ask about temperature stability for any refrigerated medications you take
- Identify substitute pharmacies in your evacuation destinations
You can shop emergency health kit essentials at Fairview Pharmacy, including first aid supplies and emergency storage containers.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Before starting or changing any medication, including over the counter products and supplements, talk with your pharmacist or physician about your specific situation.