Hurricane Isaias threatens Gulf Coast: VA activates national response to protect Veterans and families

Hurricane Isaias, the Atlantic season’s first hurricane, is strengthening in the Gulf of America and is forecast to make landfall late tonight or early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast, bringing dangerous winds, storm surge and heavy rain from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle and inland into the Southeast.

Storm outlook and risks

Forecasters expect Isaias to remain a dangerous hurricane through landfall, with hurricane–force winds, life–threatening storm surge in low–lying coastal areas and flash flooding that could quickly cut off roads and limit access to care. Communities in coastal Alabama, southern Mississippi and the western Florida Panhandle are under hurricane and storm surge warnings and should be prepared for prolonged power outages, hazardous travel and the possibility of tornadoes as outer bands move ashore.

VA-wide coordination to protect Veterans

To support Veterans, families, survivors and caregivers in the storm’s path, the VA Integrated Operations Center (VAIOC) and the Veterans Health Administration Emergency Management Coordination Cell (VHA EMCC) are fully activated and operating around the clock. These national teams are tracking the storm, sharing real–time information with the field, and coordinating with VA medical centers and community–based outpatient clinics in the warning areas to guide decisions about clinic closures, alternate care locations and expanded use of telehealth and virtual tools so Veterans can stay connected to care and benefits.

Emergency managers and incident management teams at impacted VA facilities have activated incident command, confirmed backup power and communications, and are reviewing local hazards such as surge zones and flood–prone corridors. They are prioritizing outreach to high–risk Veterans, including those who rely on oxygen, dialysis, power–dependent equipment or regular mental healthcare, using phone calls, text messages and secure messaging to provide early guidance on evacuation, shelter options and how to reach VA if services are disrupted.

What Veterans and families should do now

Veterans and families in the expected impact areas are encouraged to refill prescriptions early, secure medications and important documents in waterproof containers, and make sure they know their local evacuation routes and shelter options. Adding VA virtual tools—VA Video Connect, My HealtheVet and secure messaging—to personal emergency plans will help Veterans stay in touch with their care teams even if roads flood or power and phone service are interrupted. In areas affected by severe weather, VA healthcare systems will be conducting outreach via VEText or phone to some patients whose medical conditions may make them particularly vulnerable to the impacts from the hazard(s).

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or follow local emergency instructions without delay. Veterans in emotional distress can reach the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7 by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255 or chatting online. For information on how VA can help you maintain access to care, prescriptions, housing support and benefits after a natural disaster, visit VA’s Disaster Help page. For broader hurricane preparedness guidance for you and your family, including how to build an emergency kit and make an evacuation plan, visit Ready.gov/hurricanes.