It's the 2017 hurricane season and public health officials strongly encourage residents in Chatham and surrounding counties who may have functional, access, or medical needs and no way to evacuate if a storm is coming to register with their county health department. The Functional, Access, and Medical Needs Registry is made up of residents who may require transport and medical assistance during a hurricane evacuation and have no other resources such as family, friends, neighbors, or church members to help them if they need to evacuate. Residents must apply to be on the Registry and are encouraged to register now.
Those on the Registry will be evacuated to an American Red Cross shelter in an inland county that will likely be in a gymnasium or similar setting and could be several hours away. The Registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening our area, it is important that health department officials know where the most vulnerable residents are located so that evacuation assistance can be provided to them. People living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes are not eligible for the Functional, Access, and Medical Needs and must follow their facility's emergency plan.
Functional and Access Needs registrants are individuals who may need services to maintain their independence in a shelter. This includes children and adults with physical, sensory, mental health, and cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities affecting their ability to function independently without assistance. Medical Needs registrants are individuals who require support of trained medical professionals. This includes those individuals who may need assistance with managing unstable, terminal, or contagious conditions that require observation and ongoing treatment.
The application and protected health information authorization form can be downloaded at www.gachd.org/registry or you can also call the following numbers for more information:
Bryan County 912-756-2611 or 912-653-4331
Camden County 912-882-8515 or 912-576-3040
Chatham County 912-691-7443
Effingham County 912-754-6484
Glynn County 912-279-2940
Liberty County 912-876-2173
Long County 912-545-2107
McIntosh County 912-832-5473