Hurricane Preparedness for Caregivers
Preparing for a hurricane or other natural disaster is important for everyone, but especially for families and caregivers of those with a memory disorder.
Hurricane Information
When our area is under threat of a hurricane, BayCare's highest priority is the health and safety of our patients, team members and physicians.
Emergency and Shelter Information
Our hospitals and outpatient facilities are not community shelters. In order to ensure our ability to focus on patient care, we are unable to provide a safe haven to the general public before, during or after a storm. We encourage everyone in the community to place ultimate importance on their health and safety and follow the instructions of your local emergency management authorities.
Hurricane Closures
Please check this site for further updates. Please stay safe by checking weather forecasts and following instructions from your local emergency management officials.
In Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties only, the following services are closed starting on Wednesday, Sept. 28:
- BayCare Medical Group - Patients with scheduled appointments on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 28 and 29, will be contacted by the office to reschedule or schedule a telehealth visit.
- BayCare Urgent Care
- BayCare Outpatient Imaging
- BayCare Ambulatory Surgery Centers
- BayCare Laboratory
- BayCare Outpatient Centers
- BayCare HealthHubs
- BayCare Fitness Centers
- BayCare Behavioral Health Outpatient
Hospitals and Emergency Rooms
Our hospitals and emergency rooms are open for business as usual unless otherwise indicated below. See a list of our hospitals and their phone numbers to get in touch with a loved one.
- Morton Plant North Bay in New Port Richey is closing its Emergency Room at NOON on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and the hospital later that day. Patients are being evacuated to other BayCare facilities or discharged, starting on Monday, Sept. 26.
- At this time all other hospital locations will remain open, however the following service changes are effective for BayCare hospitals in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties:
- Elective procedures: Those that require overnight stays are being paused after Monday, Sept. 26. All other elective procedures are paused after Tuesday, Sept. 27.
- Rehabilitation Services are closed starting Wednesday, Sept. 28.
- Wound Care Services are closed starting Tuesday, Sept. 27.
BayCare Medical Group Physician Appointments
For patients with a scheduled appointment, it is our intention to offer you the option of a virtual, telemedicine visit rather than rescheduling your appointment. Telemedicine visits are typically available for many primary care, pediatrics and specialty needs.
Learn more about what you need to do in advance of a telehealth visit.
Durable Medical Equipment
If you or a loved one is currently using durable medical equipment and needs assistance, please call 1-800-940-5151, option 3.
Durable medical equipment includes:
- Oxygen
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
- CPAP
Prescription Refills
If you are a BayCare patient and in need of a prescription refill, please visit the patient portal at MyBayCare.org and select Health Record > Medications to renew your prescription.
Please call your healthcare provider instead of using the Renew Prescription if you need a prescription filled today or you have not seen your provider in over 1 year.
COVID-19 Screening
If you're concerned about COVID-19, use our new online screening tool to check your symptoms. The screening is based on the most up-to-date clinical protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will guide you to the next best steps for care. Start Your Screening Now.
COVID-19 Nurse Triage Service
Have questions or concerns about COVID-19? Call 1-800-BayCare and press 1 to reach BayCare’s COVID-19 Nurse Triage Services. Nurse triage is available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
Weather Websites
- National Hurricane Center
- National Weather Service (NOAA)
- National Weather Service Forecast for Tampa Bay
- Storm Prediction Center
Emergency Management Services
- Hillsborough County | (813) 236-3800
- Special Needs Shelter Information - Hillsborough | (813) 307-8063
- Pasco County | (727) 847-8137
- Special Needs Shelter Information - Pasco | (727) 847-8137
- Pinellas County | (727) 464-3800
- Special Needs Shelter Information - Pinellas | (727) 464-3800
- Polk County | (863) 298-7000
- Special Needs Shelter Information - Polk | (863) 298-7027
- Hernando County | (352) 754-4083
- Special Needs Shelter Information - Hernando | (352) 754-4083
- Florida Division of Emergency Management | (850) 815-4000
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
Get Care Now
If you are in need of medical care for minor illness or injury, consider using BayCareAnywhere. You can video chat with a board-certified physician from your tablet, phone or laptop, 24/7. The mobile app is available for download on the Google Play and the Apple App Store.
