Storm safety for meds and medical gear: what to do before, during, and after

Storms can knock out power, close pharmacies, and make travel unsafe. If you rely on daily prescriptions, medical devices, or refrigerated medicines, a little planning now saves big headaches later. Below are practical, easy steps to keep your meds effective and available when weather turns bad.

Prep your meds and documents

Keep a 7–14 day extra supply of essential meds whenever possible. Call your pharmacy early—controlled substances or insurance limits can make rush refills tricky. Store prescriptions in their original containers so dose and prescribing information stay clear. Make a paper and digital copy of your medication list, doses, doctor and pharmacy contacts, and any allergies. Put copies in a waterproof bag and upload a photo to your phone or cloud account.

Check expiration dates and rotate stock: use older bottles first and replace nearing-expiry items. For kids or caregivers, label doses and use a simple checklist so anyone can manage meds during an emergency.

Handle temperature-sensitive meds and devices

Many medicines need stable temperatures. Insulin should be refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F) but can be kept at room temperature for short periods—check the manufacturer’s guidance. Never freeze insulin. For vaccines, biologics, or other cold-chain meds, talk to your pharmacist about insulated coolers and cold packs that keep temps steady during a brief outage or evacuation.

If you use oxygen concentrators, CPAPs, infusion pumps, or other powered devices, plan for power loss. Ask your supplier about battery backups, portable power stations, or oxygen cylinders. Keep device manuals and supplier phone numbers handy. Charge spare batteries and keep charging cords in your emergency kit.

Short trips? Pack meds in a small insulated bag with ice packs for a few hours. For longer travel, use medical-grade coolers and confirm local storage options at your destination.

Quick tips for inhalers and rescue meds: carry them on your person or in hand luggage, not in checked bags. Keep an extra rescue inhaler or EpiPen if you can legally obtain one, and know where to get emergency refills.

Consider online pharmacy options if local stores are closed, but verify the pharmacy is licensed and secure before ordering. For immediate needs, local emergency departments and community shelters often have protocols to help people get essential meds during disasters.

After the storm, inspect medication integrity—if a drug looks discolored, cloudy, or smells off, ask a pharmacist before using it. Restock your emergency supply and update your list so you’re ready next time. Small steps now make a big difference when a storm hits.