Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for the 2020 Hurricane Season.
We are closely tracking the healthcare and public health impacts of Tropical Storm Beta.
High-Level Situation Summary
Tropical Storm Beta Expected Impacts:
Tropical Storm Beta made landfall on the middle Texas Coast around 10:00PM CDT on September 21. As of 3:30PM EDT on September 22, Beta has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression. All coastal watches and warnings related to Tropical Storm Beta have been discontinued, but Tropical Depression Beta has continued to bring heavy rains to Texas and is expected to continue into the lower Mississippi Valley throughout the week.
Arkansas:
Rainfall
Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected in southeastern Arkansas throughout the end of the week. Flash and urban flooding is possible, as well as isolated minor river flooding on smaller rivers.
Louisiana:
Rainfall
Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected through parts of central and northern Louisiana throughout the end of the week. Flash and urban flooding is possible, as well as isolated minor river flooding on smaller rivers.
Tornadoes
Isolated tornadoes are possible through September 22 on the southwestern Louisiana coast.
Surf
Swells will continue along the coast of Louisiana during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Mississippi:
Rainfall
Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected in the lower Mississippi Valley throughout the end of the week. Flash and urban flooding is possible, as well as isolated minor river flooding on smaller rivers.
Texas:
Impacts:
The major impact to Texas has been flooding as a result of rainfall. There has been significant flooding reported in Houston and Galveston; as of 4:00PM EDT, flash flood, coastal flood, and flood warnings were in place in various sections of the Houston and Galveston region.
A number of roadways were affected by flooding and water in the roadways, primarily in the Houston and Galveston area. For current Texas road conditions, see DriveTexas.
Across the middle and upper Texas coast, expected additional rainfall of 5 to 10 inches with isolated storm totals of up to 20 inches is likely. Significant flash and urban flooding is occurring and may continue. Minor to isolated moderate river flooding is likely.
Tornadoes
Isolated tornadoes are possible through September 22 along the middle to upper Texas coast.
Surf
Swells will continue along the coast of Texas during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
A Disaster Declaration for 29 Texas counties was issued by Governor Abbot on September 21.
Louisiana:
A State of Emergency for Louisiana was declared by Governor Edwards on September 21.
Rx Open
Rx Open is currently activated for the nation. The map was updated at 2:00PM EDT on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. As of September 22:
Arkansas is reporting 96.4% of its pharmacies as open.
No counties in Arkansas are reporting less than 50% of pharmacies as open.
Louisiana is reporting 97.9% of its pharmacies as open.
No counties in Louisiana are reporting less than 50% of pharmacies as open.
Mississippi is reporting 97.1% of its pharmacies as open.
No counties in Mississippi are reporting less than 50% of pharmacies as open.
Texas is reporting 94.9% of its pharmacies as open.
Currently Carson, Knox, Parmer and Yoakum counties are all reporting less than 50% of pharmacies in the county as open.
Healthcare Response Updates and Needs
Prescription Refill Guidance:
Louisiana: Under LA State Code, under a declared "State of Emergency”, a pharmacist may dispense a one-time emergency prescription of up to a 30-day supply of a prescribed medication.
Texas: In the event of a natural or manmade disaster, the Texas Pharmacy Act allows a pharmacist to dispense up to a 30-day supply of a prescription drug, other than a Schedule II controlled substance.
Mississippi: Due to Hurricane Sally, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy issued a Resolution allowing a one-time 30-day refill of non-controlled prescription medications between September 14 and 28.
Most test sites in the Houston area were closed on September 22, with 2 locations open.
Other Actions
If you become aware of situation(s) that may adversely affect healthcare supply or care in the affected area, or if you would like to request the assistance of Healthcare Ready, please contact us at Alerts@HealthcareReady.org or call 1.866.247.2694.
We are standing by, ready to assist those in the impacted areas. For those of you in the affected areas, our thoughts are with you.
Rx on the Run, a downloadable medication card for citizens to keep track of their medications.
Message sent to Healthcare Ready national partners and those registered for alerts in: TX, LA, and AR
Healthcare Ready leverages unique relationships with government, nonprofit and medical supply chains to build and enhance the resiliency of communities before, during and after disasters.
