...
By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway, so U.S. officials are, therefore, urging veterans—particularly those with medical needs or limited mobility—to prepare now for what could become life‑threatening conditions.
In guidance published this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) warned that even relatively modest storms can quickly escalate into dangerous situations when power outages, flooding, and service disruptions cut off access to healthcare and medications.
“It only takes one,” said Assistant Secretary Reginald Neal, who leads the VA’s Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness. “One storm. One week without power. One heat wave. That’s all it takes.”
Read More on News
Officials stressed that many people overestimate their preparedness until a real emergency happens, exposing weaknesses—such as running out of critical medical prescriptions or losing contact with healthcare providers.
...
What the VA Is Advising Veterans to Do
The VA is encouraging veterans and their families to take simple but essential steps before severe weather strikes:
- Maintain medication supplies: Keep at least two weeks' worth of prescriptions stocked
- Prepare for power outages: Those who rely on equipment such as oxygen machines, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAPs), which help breathing while asleep, or powered wheelchairs should discuss backup plans with healthcare providers
- Build an emergency kit: Include food, water, batteries, flashlights, medical supplies, and important documents.
- Update contact information: Ensure VA contact details are up-to-date so any alerts and assistance can get through
- Create a family emergency plan: Know evacuation routes, meeting points, and support networks
- Stay alert to communication: Monitor and respond to VA phone calls, texts, or emails during severe weather
The agency emphasised that communication can be lifesaving during a crisis.
“If a call or text comes from VA during a weather threat, open it. Read it,” the agency advised, noting messages may include information on clinic closures, prescription refills, telehealth access, or evacuation guidance.
Missing such alerts, officials warned, could mean missing critical care.
How the VA Responds During Hurricanes
The VA says it expands operations significantly when disasters strike.
Rather than scaling back, its mission grows to support not only veterans, but also broader communities when local healthcare systems are overwhelmed.
This response can include:
- Deploying mobile medical units into storm‑affected areas
- Transferring patients from at‑risk facilities before landfall
- Using telehealth services to maintain care when travel isn’t possible
The VA works closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services, and local emergency teams to coordinate its efforts and ensure continuity of care.
However, officials caution that even a strong emergency response system has its limits—especially if vulnerable individuals can’t be reached.
“The gap between feeling prepared and being prepared is where emergencies become crises,” the VA said.
Understanding the US Hurricane Season
...
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most intense activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October, according to NOAA.
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and can intensify rapidly, bringing a range of hazards, including:
- Destructive winds capable of damaging buildings and infrastructure
- Storm surge and flooding, which often deliver the deadliest impacts
- Heavy rainfall, which can trigger flash floods far inland
- Tornadoes spawned by storm systems
- Prolonged power outages, sometimes lasting days or weeks
Early in the season, storms are more likely to form in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, or along the southeastern U.S. coast, before activity spreads across the wider Atlantic basin as conditions become more favourable.
For 2026, forecasters are signalling a quieter‑than‑normal season overall. In a recent report, NOAA projected 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes, reflecting a higher likelihood of below‑average activity compared with historical norms.
...
A key factor shaping this outlook is the emergence of El Niño, a global climate pattern characterised by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific. This phenomenon can reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic by increasing upper‑level winds—known as wind shear—that disrupt storm development.
Experts stress, however, that overall numbers can be misleading.
Even a quieter season can produce a devastating landfalling storm, meaning preparation remains essential regardless of forecasts.
Why Preparation Matters
...
The VA’s warning underscores a broader reality: The danger of a hurricane often lies in the disruption it causes, not just in the storm itself.
For veterans—particularly those living alone, managing chronic conditions, or relying on medical devices—interruptions to power, transport, and healthcare access can quickly become life‑threatening.
Officials say the key to reducing that risk is acting early.
By preparing supplies, maintaining communication, and responding to official alerts, veterans can significantly improve their chances of staying safe during the 2026 hurricane season.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines