The Wellness Collective

Natural Disaster Preparedness Checklist

How to Prep Your Prescription Meds for Natural Distasters

Reviewed by Adam Gardner, Licensed Pharmacist & COO of TelyRx

If an emergency alert pops up on your phone, will you be prepared?
If an emergency alert pops up on your phone, will you be prepared?

Table of Contents

You’ve got the basics covered. Batteries, protein bars, enough water to last a week, and maybe even a radio that actually works. Your emergency kit is ready for whatever nature throws your way – hurricanes, wildfires, power outages, you name it. 

But most emergency checklists overlook one life-saving essential: prescription medications. 

If that makes you pause for a second, you’re not alone. According to recent data from the CDC, almost half of all Americans use at least one prescription medication, yet very few of us have a plan for what to do when a natural disaster strikes and our usual pharmacy is forced to evacuate or shut down before we can reach the counters.

why your pills matter more than your flashlight

Power outages are manageable. Missing your medications is not. If you’re managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, skipped doses aren’t just inconvenient – they can become a medical emergency.  

We learned this lesson the hard way during the 2020 supply chain disruptions, when grocery stores weren’t the only places with empty shelves. Pharmacies across the country struggled with medication shortages, delivery delays, and systems that were overwhelmed. People who had never before worried about prescription access suddenly discovered the medications they relied on were nowhere to be found.   

Now imagine this same scenario, but with the added burden of evacuation orders, power outages, and emergency services already stretched to their limits. Your regular pharmacy might be closed, flooded, or cleaned out. Your doctor’s office might be unreachable. Normal delivery services might be suspended.  

These aren’t theoretical concerns—they’re realities for thousands of people every hurricane and wildfire season. 

how to prepare medications for a natural disaster: your step-by-step action plan

A patient begins opening and organizing their medications for natural disaster season.
A patient begins opening and organizing their medications for natural disaster season.

Here’s the thing about disaster preparedness for medications: it’s not complicated, but it does require thinking ahead. Getting your medication plan sorted in advance means one less thing to think about if a natural disaster should strike.  

Step 1: Build Your Emergency Medication Supply 

Start with a 7-10 day supply of everything you take regularly. Include rescue inhalers, migraine medications, or anything you might need if stress levels spike (which they will). If possible, aim for a two-week supply. Refill prescriptions a few days early when possible or consider using a digital telehealth platform like TelyRx to build your emergency stockpile without insurance restrictions and other red tape.  

Step 2: Organize Your Emergency Medication Storage 

Gather the basics that often get overlooked: a waterproof container to protect your medications, copies of your prescriptions (both paper and photos on your phone), and a simple pill organizer so you’re not fumbling with multiple bottles in the dark. 

Step 3: Handle Temperature-Sensitive Medications 

If you’re using medications like insulin or GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.), invest in a small cooler and some gel ice packs. During power outages from hurricanes, wildfires, or other disasters, your refrigerator becomes useless, but a well-insulated bag can keep medications stable for days. 

Building a first aid kit? Make sure your prescription medications are included.
Building a first aid kit? Make sure your prescription medications are included.

Step 4: Plan for Different Disaster Scenarios 

Different natural disasters create unique health and medication challenges: 

  • Wildfires: Poor air quality can trigger asthma attacks or worsen COPD, making rescue breathing medications essential even if your home isn’t directly in harm’s way. 
  • Hurricanes: Anxiety can spike during long storms or sheltering-in-place. Non-stimulant anxiety medications, like propranolol, can help stabilize panic symptoms when routines are disrupted, or access to support is limited. 
  • Earthquakes: Sudden shaking can send medication bottles flying off shelves and counters, and structural damage could make your home inaccessible for days. Secure your emergency kit in lower cabinets with safety latches and keep backup supplies in your car or workplace since you might be away from home when it strikes. Consider including pain relievers for relief from minor injuries. 
  • Tornadoes: Most tornado warnings give you just minutes to take cover, so store your disaster preparedness kit in a safe space—whether that’s a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room of your home. A sturdy container is worth the investment since these storms often bring flooding.  If you have a prescription for anti-anxiety medications, consider including them. Tornado season takes a mental and emotional toll on everyone involved. 
  • Evacuations: You might be staying with relatives or in a temporary shelter, where close quarters increase infection risk. Consider stocking your emergency kit with a broad-spectrum antibiotic like Cephalexin or azithromycin to treat bacterial infections that can spread in crowded conditions. 
  • Power outages: Some medications handle room temperature fine for short periods, but others degrade quickly. Know which of your medications are most vulnerable to temperature changes and have backup cooling solutions ready. When in doubt, use cooling methods, but never freeze medications unless specifically instructed.  

the new reality of medication access

Make sure you order your prescription medications ahead of time with TelyRx.

Our world has fundamentally shifted toward digital solutions for everything – from how we work to how we shop to how we stay connected with family. Healthcare is no exception, and this includes how we access our medications. 

The old playbook of “drive to your local pharmacy” assumes that pharmacies will be open, accessible, and stocked when you need it, but recent years have taught us this is not always a safe bet. Supply chains get disrupted. Pharmacies close or operate at reduced hours. Disasters disrupt local infrastructure. 

But here’s the silver lining: legitimate digital pharmacy platforms like TelyRx have emerged as a reliable backup that function regardless of what’s happening in your immediate area. While your neighborhood drugstore might be dealing with flooding, power outages, or staffing shortages, TelyRx operates 24/7 from multiple licensed pharmacy locations throughout the country and can deliver nationwide. We’re not dependent on your local infrastructure or on insurance systems that can get overwhelmed during emergencies. 

For emergency preparation, this isn’t just convenient – it’s transformative and necessary. You’re no longer limited by geography, business hours, or local disruptions when building your medication safety net. 

For your prescription medication emergency kit, TelyRx is a gamechanger. It means you can actually plan ahead and stock up without the usual barriers. No waiting for your doctor’s office to reopen after a storm. No driving to multiple pharmacies hoping someone has your medication in stock. 
Starting at $299.99

Epinephrine

Used to treat life threatening allergic responses or anaphylaxis.

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Starting at $39.99

Albuterol HFA Inhaler

Used to open airways and treat acute exacerbations of asthma.

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Starting at $179.99

Freestyle Libre 3 CGM

A continuous glucose monitoring system designed to track glucose levels in real time.

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Starting at $59.99

Naratriptan

Naratriptan is used to treat acute migraine attacks with or without aura. 

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Starting at $19.99

Propranolol

A non-stimulant medication used to treat situational and performance anxiety.

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Starting at $19.99

Norethindrone

Progestin-only hormonal contraception used to prevent pregnancy.

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Starting at $59.99

Albuterol HFA Ventolin

Albuterol is used to open the airways during asthma exacerbations or for exercise-induced asthma. 

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Starting at $104.99

Freestyle Libre 2 CGM

A sensor applied just under the skin for 14 days, providing real-time data on blood sugar levels.

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the maintenance part everyone forgets

Building your emergency medication supply is half the battle. Keeping it current is the other half. 

Set reminders every three to six months to rotate your emergency medications. Use the older meds for your regular routine and replenish them with fresh supplies. This keeps everything within expiration dates and ensures you’re not stuck with medications that have lost their potency when you actually need them. 

During hurricane season, fire season, or any time severe weather is forecasted in your area, check your supplies proactively. Don’t wait until evacuation orders are issued – by then, everyone else has the same idea, and you’ll be competing for limited resources. 

planning beyond the pills

Disaster prep supplies are laid out on a table, including a bag to store them in.
Disaster prep supplies are laid out on a table, including a bag to store them in.

Beyond the medications, your emergency kit should include items that make managing prescriptions as easy as possible during stressful or unpredictable situations: 

  • A flashlight specifically for your medication area, so you can see what you’re taking during power outages 
  • A backup phone charger, because you might need to contact healthcare providers or pharmacies 
  • A notebook and pen for tracking doses manually if digital systems fail 
  • A packet of wet wipes or hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of germs  

Most importantly, text your prescription information to someone you trust ahead of time – a family member, close friend, or neighbor. This is an important step because in a disaster, you might not be the one managing your medication needs. Having someone who can step in with the right information could literally save your life. 

the bottom line

Your medications keep you healthy and stable during normal times – they deserve the same careful planning as your food, water, and shelter when disaster strikes. 

So where do you begin?  Start small. Pick up an extra week’s worth of your most critical medications during your next refill, or build your emergency supply through TelyRx with prescriptions that are already part of your routine. Find a waterproof container. Make copies of your prescription labels. You don’t have to become a prepper overnight, but taking these basic steps means you’re prepared for whatever comes next. 

Because when the power goes out, the shelves empty and the pharmacies close, you’ll still have what you need to take care of your health. And honestly, in the middle of a crisis, your peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. 

Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, consultation, or care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another licensed health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information read on this site. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

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