Hurricane Florence

 2018-09-10

Last updated September 19, 12 a.m. ET

Hurricane Florence left a massive amount of rain in the Carolinas, and as a post-Tropical Storm Florence continues to dump rain on the already flooded states. The storm has left more than 30 dead and displaced thousands more, leaving them without electricity or shelter and in need of all our support.

If you’re affected by Hurricane Florence 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.

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 insulinIf 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.
  • HERE you can find a wide variety of organizations you can donate to.

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 September 10, to October 1, 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