Tropical Storm Michael

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Last updated October 10, 8 a.m. ET

Hurricane Michael is headed for a catastrophic, unprecedented Category 4 strike on the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend with a massive storm surge and over 100 mph winds possible not just near the coast, but also inland that could leave some areas without power for over a week.

If Michael makes landfall as a Category 4 storm, as expected, it will be the strongest hurricane to ever come ashore along the Florida Panhandle in records dating to 1851.

At a Glance

  • Michael is expected to make landfall along Florida’s northeastern Gulf Coast Wednesday.
  • A Category 4 or stronger hurricane has never made landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
  • Catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds will occur near the landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
  • Over a million power outages will occur not just near the coast, but also inland after landfall.
  • Rainfall flooding is also a significant threat inland into the Carolinas.

If you’re affected by Hurricane Michael and are …

In a life-threatening situation

  • Call 911 – due to the heavy volume of calls, be sure to stay on the line until your call can be answered.

In need of disaster assistance

  • Call the American Red Cross at 877-500-8645.
  • Looking for a shelter? A live map of open shelters from the American Red Cross can be found here .
  • Help for People with Disabilities. Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies helps people with disabilities and the elderly to safety and provide immediate needs for durable medical equipment and supplies hotline: 1-800-626-4949.

Safety

  • The Red Cross is encouraging you to list yourself as “ Safe and Well . “
  • You can mark yourself safe on Facebook
  • Join the Beyond Type 1 app for iOS + Android (also accessible on desktop) – connect with other individuals and families impacted by Type 1 diabetes. The “Find Members Near Me” feature can be especially helpful for finding folks who may be able to support with everything from stress to supplies.

State Resources

ALABAMA

  • Emergency Declarations: State of Emergency – Hurricane Michael
  • Emergency Medication Refills : In the event of an Emergency Proclamation, pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-refill WITHOUT authorization from the prescriber.
  • Traffic Alerts : Alabama Department of Transportation. Emergency Call Center 888-588-2848 for information on Alabama travel conditions during an emergency event.
  • Alabama 211 serves as a point of contact for a variety of programs including disasters Dial 211 or visit 211Connect Alabama
  • Alabama Emergency Management Agency

FLORIDA

Additional resources

Type 1 diabetes reminders for natural disasters

  • Identify yourself as someone who has diabetes
  • Stay hydrated
  • Keep emergency supplies with you to treat hypoglycemia
  • Secure insulin – If you can get to a pharmacy, it’s the best way to access your medicines or get emergency supplies. A list of open pharmacies can be found here. You can search for open pharmacies HERE.

Storing Insulin & Discarding Sharps

Resources from device and supply companies –

  • Lilly Answers Center – Call 1-800-545-5979 if you need assistance with insulin or other medicine that has been damaged or destroyed by the storm.
  • Medtronic Storm Hotline – Call 1-800-646-4633 ext 64545. For more information, visit here .
  • Omnipod users – Podders needing supplies can contact customer care team at 800-591-3455. We have been notified that local representatives in affected areas will have additional supplies.

If you want to help …

Donate funds –

  • Donate to the American Red Cross. You can also give a quick $10 donation now by texting “REDCROSS” to 90-999.
  • Donate to Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization in all 50 states of the US and 70 countries.
  • Donate to Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping children and families most in need.

Donate insulin + test strips – Insulin For Life USA aids those living with diabetes by supplying life-saving insulin and other supplies. In order to continue to provide emergency supplies, Insulin for Life is specifically requesting the following:

  • Insulin (unopened, not expired)
  • Test strips (of any variety)

Send supplies to:

5745 SW 75th Street, #116

Gainesville, Florida 32608

(352) 327-8649

Donate your home

  • Airbnb is waiving service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between October 8, 2018 , to October 29, 2018 , and can guide users in creating a listing where their home is offered to victims for free.

Note : Beyond Type 1 is proud to be a part of the Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition, alongside American Diabetes Association, Insulin for Life USA, JDRF, the American Association for Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Association for Diabetes Educators, Endocrine Society, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Lilly, Insulet, and T1D Exchange, among others. This content is from the Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition.

WeatherReferences

    1. THE WEATHER CHANNEL
  2. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
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Headed right for us. Watching this one but we have had them before. Hoping this one isn’t any worse than the others we have had. The last bad one we had was around 15 years ago and knocked out the power for 5 days. I’ll need to go out and get gas for our generator and stock up on water. But by this afternoon I suspect a lot of places will be out of supplies.

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Please let us know how can we help, remember I’m in Orlando.

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5pm ET update

Hurricane Michael will continue to intensify and is forecast to strike the Florida Panhandle as a Category 3 with dangerous storm surge flooding, destructive winds and flooding rainfall. Michael will also bring heavy rain and strong winds to other parts of the southeastern United States after it moves inland.

At a Glance

  • Michael is forecast to intensify as it tracks into the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Michael will threaten the northeastern Gulf Coast by Wednesday, potentially as a major hurricane.
  • Storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rain are likely impacts along the northeastern Gulf Coast.
  • Hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings have been issued along the Gulf coast of Florida.
  • Heavy rain and strong winds will spread farther inland across parts of the Southeast after landfall.
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We are safe but the damage here is catastrophic. One man told me he was a Vietman vet and the devastation here is worse than anything he saw there. Our home survived and we lost some shingles and took in some water but it looks like the structure is ok. I faired better than my neighbors. 5 oak trees down in the back yard and none of them landed on my house but did knock a hole in the shed and fell on a neighbor’s vehicle (which was parked in his backyard). We have no power, no water, very poor cell service and no contact with media of any kind. I have no idea what is going on or if any other help is on the way. I only have 1 can of generator gas left and need to find a way to get to a gas station at some point. Here are some pictures I took

Hurricane photos

So you’ll know what they are the first is my next door neighbors shed. The next few are the sports complex behind my house. Then various shots from my roof. The one with the blue tarp is my roof. That’s the area we took on the most water but it’s like trying to put a band-aid on the titantic. See the church sanctuary? I am not in the church I took that from outside!

Anyway we are safe for the time being and I pray it doesn’t rain because we cannot take more water in the house.

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So glad to hear that you are safe. My family will keep good thoughts and prayers going for you and your family, and those in your community, are safe from any further damage.

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