Skip to main content

Military Health System

Military Health System offers help before and after natural disasters

Image of Picture of a helicopter . Picture of a helicopter

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Emergency Preparedness and Response

On August 29, Hurricane Ida - with its 15-mile wide eye-wall - slammed into the Louisiana coast, causing floods, destroying homes and cutting off electricity for millions of residents.

It was 16 years to the day after catastrophic Hurricane Katrina hit the same low-lying regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Hurricane Ida's landfall was just one in a series of storms that have struck the southeast during an especially devastating hurricane season. And it comes in a year when floods, wildfires and blizzards have damaged and disrupted regions across the country.

The series of natural disasters serves as constant reminder that daily routines can be upended at any moment.

The risks often vary by region. Those living in the Rocky Mountains, Texas, and the West Coast are at particular risk of wildfires with the peak season running from May through October. While more wildfires occur in Eastern and Central states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, wildfires in Western states are larger and burn more acreage.

People who live along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts face the possibility of a hurricane making landfall between June and November.

Fortunately, our active duty, Guard and Reserves plan for, prepare for and respond to these other natural disasters on a regular basis.

And the Military Health System also provides support in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, American Red Cross and others - part of the whole-of-government response to natural disasters.

TRICARE plays an important role before, during and after natural disasters, specifically with regard to disaster alerts and accessing emergency prescription refills. TRICARE experts recommend first signing up for disaster alerts. These alerts are sent via text and email, and give updated information from federal agencies and departments, state and local governments, and the news and other media.

Military personnel providing live aerial video streaming to fire bosses
Master Sgt. Brent Hill, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, controls the infrared imagery on an RC26 in support of burn operations on the Beckwourth Fire in California from western Nevada July 13, 2021. Hill is part of a team of imagery experts providing live aerial video streaming to fire bosses working on the front lines of the California wildfires (Photo by: Air Force Staff Sgt. William Gray).

Recent events led to disaster alerts for flooding in Tennessee; Hurricane Henri along the East Coast; Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and wildfires in California and Nevada.

The TRICARE disaster information resource webpage offers additional advice for preparing for possible evacuation.

Some basic disaster preparedness tips pulled from a variety of sources, include:

  • Plan your exit. Identify a safe escape route as well as a place to shelter outside of the evacuation area. Make sure you share your plan with someone who lives outside of the affected area. Make sure your vehicles are gassed up far in advance.
  • Make a list. This list should include your health care providers' names and contact information, medications with dosage and frequency, and type and model number of any medical devices you use.
  • Get it together. Gather immunization records, insurance paperwork, and medical documents in a waterproof container that's easy to carry. Put together a basic first-aid kit, and make sure you have enough medication to cover your time away.
  • Be mindful of special needs. Those with chronic health conditions or issues with vision, hearing, or mobility should get medical alert tags or bracelets, and identify how they will arrange to get disaster warnings and find assistance to safety.
  • Build your kit. What items will you need to survive an extended time away from your residence, or if you plan to shelter-in-place? Water. Food. Radio. Flashlight.
  • Plan for your pets. For those with pets, the U.S. Army Public Health Center publication Vet Connections recommends gathering an emergency kit that includes a two-week supply of pet food, water, and any medications. Make sure you have copies of vaccination and medical records as well.

Another resource in planning for potential natural disasters is the Federal Emergency Management Agency guide "Are You Ready." This 200-page, in-depth guide offers information for people to protect themselves and their families in case of weather emergencies, wildfires, and other hazards.

You also may be interested in...

Hurricane: Disaster Referral Waiver

Infographic
11/16/2022

if you have TRICARE Prime, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) provides most of your care. If you see a TRICARE-authorized specialty provider without a referral, you have to pay Point-of-Service (POS) charges.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Hurricane: Hospital Closure

Infographic
11/16/2022

Disaster Alert if a hospital has to close during a hurricane.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Hurricane Essential Resources

Infographic
11/16/2022

This graphic highlights emergency resources people can use before emergencies to be disaster ready.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Hurricane: Getting Emergency Prescriptions

Infographic
11/16/2022

During a hurricane, sometimes TRICARE will authorize emergency prescription refills. If authorized, take you prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Hurricane Readiness Kit

Infographic
11/16/2022

Before a hurricane prepare a hurricane readiness kit including important documents, prescriptions, and family emergency plan.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Hurricanes/Tropical Storms

Earthquakes: Getting Prescriptions

Infographic
11/14/2022

During a disaster, TRICARE may authorize emergency prescription resources.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: Essential Resources

Infographic
11/14/2022

Get critical information when you need it by following this essential resources guide.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: Protect Yourself

Infographic
11/14/2022

Drop, cover, and hold on to help protect yourself during an earthquake.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: Prepare Before 2

Infographic
11/14/2022

It’s important to secure heavy items, make a family emergency communications plan, and a supply kit to prepare for an earthquake

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: Referral Waiver

Infographic
11/14/2022

To promote access to needed services during or after a disaster a PCM referral waiver allows enrollees to seek care without a referral from their PCM.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: After an Earthquake

Infographic
11/14/2022

After an earthquake it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe.

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

Earthquake: Prepare Before

Infographic
11/14/2022

The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens. Plan. Prepare. Protect. Natural Resource Guide. The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens. Image of supplies. Follow these tips: practice drop, cover, and hold on with others; make an emergency plan; gather emergency supplies, protect your home by securing loose objects and learning how to turn off utilities. Be ready at a moment’s notice. Visit: www.tricare.mil/Disaster

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Earthquakes

COVID-19 Consideration: Wildfire

Infographic
11/10/2022

What you need to know to keep you and your family safe

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | COVID-19 Considerations

Disaster Alert: Stormy Background

Infographic
11/10/2022

Disaster Alert, be ready a moments notice

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Disaster Alerts

Disaster Alert: Tropical Storm

Infographic
11/10/2022

Disaster Alert for Tropical Storms

Recommended Content:

Disaster Preparation | Disaster Alerts
<< < 1 2 3 > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 3
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 26, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery