Hurricane Sally is expected to produce historic, life-threatening flash flooding along portions of the northern Gulf coast. Dangerous storm surge is also expected, with the highest inundation along the Alabama coast. Impacts of the storm have already begun to affect the Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana coasts.
As of 1:00PM CDT, September 15, Hurricane Sally is forecast to make landfall near Mobile Bay, AL around 7:00AM CDT on Wednesday, September 16.
Flooding remains the most significant direct threat to healthcare infrastructure in the areas impacted by the storm, particularly in the coastal areas of far southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and northwestern Florida.
Extreme flooding will likely occur due to a combination of storm surge and excessive rainfall, both of which will be prolonged since the storm is slow-moving. Impacts should be expected to persist in impacted areas for several days, potentially through Friday, September 18.
Storm surge: Regardless of the exact location of landfall, significant storm surge should be expected between Grand Isle, LA and Chassahowitzka, FL. Peak storm surge estimates by state as of 10:00AM CDT 9/15 are as follows:
Alabama: 4 - 7 feet across the entire AL coast, including Mobile Bay
Louisiana: 4 – 6 feet between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the mouth of the Pearl River; 1 – 3 feet peak surge between Grand Isle and the mouth of the Mississippi River
Mississippi: 3 - 5 feet peak surge expected across the entire MS coast
Florida: 3 – 5 feet between the AL/FL border to Okaloosa/Walton County Line; 1 – 3 feet peak surge from Okaloosa/Walton County Line to Chassahowitzka, FL
Excessive rainfall: There is significant rainfall potential in the areas impacted by Sally. Highest rainfall and flash flood impacts are expected to be across southern Alabama to western Florida Panhandle.
There is a high risk (greater than 50%) of excessive rainfall extending from the eastern tip of MS to southwest AL through Wednesday, September 17. Moderate risk (20% - 50% chance) of excessive rainfall extends beyond this area, including into most of southern AL. As a result, there may also be significant river flooding threats in these areas.
Rainfall between 10 - 20 inches should be expected along and just inland of the central Gulf Coast from the western FL Panhandle to far southeastern MS, with isolated amounts up to 30 inches.
Tornadoes: There is also potential for isolated tornadoes to form in impacted areas. A tornado watch is in effect for coastal Alabama and the Florida panhandle. The tornado threat is expected to increase as Sally approaches land.
A Supplement was issued on September 14 requiring all beaches to close and recommending evacuation for Mobile and Baldwin Counties and other areas prone to flooding
Rx Open is currently activated for the nation. The map was updated at 2:00PM EDT on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
Louisiana: 92.2% of pharmacies are reporting open.
St. Charles Parish is reporting less than 50% of pharmacies in the area as open.
Mississippi: 87.8% of pharmacies are reporting open.
Claiborne, Hancock and Harrison Counties are reporting less than 50% of pharmacies in the area as open.
Alabama: 88.7% of pharmacies are reporting open.
Mobile County is reporting less than 50% of pharmacies in the area as open.
Florida: 96.7% of pharmacies are reporting open.
Calhoun County is reporting less than 50% of pharmacies in the area 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.
Alabama: The Alabama Board of Pharmacy issued emergency prescription authorization to remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 State of Emergency that allows a one-time 30-day refill of maintenance medications if the pharmacy has patient information on file. This is in effect for all of Alabama at this time.
By regulations from the 2016 Code of Alabama, if unable to contact a prescriber, a pharmacist may dispense a one-time, 72-hour supply of a non-controlled prescription.
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.
Florida: Florida law mandates that residents of counties under a State of Emergency, hurricane warning, or that have activated their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or emergency management plan can receive a 30-day refill of their prescription medication.
Mobile County Emergency Management Agency recommended that citizens evacuate to higher areas with friends or family outside of hurricane surge zones 1 and 2.
Residents are encouraged to stay with friends or family first, instead of a shelter.
Most Louisiana shelters will be managed by the Red Cross. A map of Red Cross shelters can be located here. The Red Cross is taking precautions to safely manage hurricane shelters during COVID-19. More information on their COVID-19 sheltering precautions can be found here.
The Alabama Department of Public Health issued an order of the state health officer requiring any organization or jurisdiction offering sheltering operations to provide non-congregate sheltering to individuals with increased risk.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency issued frequently asked questions for general population sheltering in a COVID-19 environment. The shelters will have 3 distinct areas: initial screening, dormitory, and isolation care. Residents and workers will be required to wear face coverings, and the space allocation is 60 square feet per person.
The interruption of COVID-19 testing and increased exposure of residents to COVID-19 due to evacuation and sheltering is a significant threat to controlling the spread of the virus in areas impacted by the storm.
Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana have not reported large scale COVID-19 testing impacts at this time.
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
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