An oxygen-dependent patient will need backup electrical power for his or her concentrator, otherwise backup oxygen cylinders will be needed. Be sure to ask your oxygen vendor what their plan is to replenish your oxygen following a storm.

Insulin-dependent patients will need backup electrical power to keep insulin refrigerated.

Pregnant women – those at high risk or at 36 weeks or beyond – should talk to their doctor about whether they should seek shelter at a hospital.

Dialysis patients will need to receive dialysis just prior to the storm and pre-schedule an appointment for post-storm dialysis. Check whether your dialysis centre has a generator to operate after a storm.

Hospitals are not an option for those seeking general shelter during a hurricane, with the exception of pregnant women with a doctor’s referral.

If constant electrical power is a requirement for your medical needs, you might want to consider staying somewhere that has backup electrical power from a generator. This may mean leaving the area in the path of the storm.

Have a supply of prescription medications on hand. Work with your doctor, insurance company and pharmacy to stockpile extra medication.

Assemble basic first-aid items, including pain medications, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoea medication, stomach and reflux medications, cough and cold medication, Band-Aids, gauze bandages, medical tape, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, soap, antiseptic wipes, alcohol pads, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, hydrogen peroxide, disposable cold packs, disposable gloves, boxes of tissue, paper towels, and a first-aid manual.

You may need to personalize your list by adding items such as contact lens solution, spare glasses and sunglasses, hearing-aid batteries, denture care products, dietary food supplements, adult diapers, feminine hygiene supplies, baby supplies, and medications for your pet.

Include a bucket, a bottle of all-purpose disinfectant cleaner, household bleach, insect repellent, bug spray, sunscreen and several sizes of plastic zip-top bags.

If you have medication that requires refrigeration, include a small cooler and several freezer packs.

Make a list of all your prescription medications with dosages, dosing schedules, doctors’ names and phone numbers, and pharmacy phone numbers. Include the names and phone numbers of people to contact in an emergency. Keep the information stored with your important papers in a plastic zip-top bag.

If you rely on a motorized scooter or wheelchair, you should have a regular wheelchair on hand in case the electricity goes out and you can’t recharge batteries.