October 27, 2005 - About 6,000 kidney-dialysis patients in South Florida had little or no way to get lifesaving treatments Wednesday after Hurricane Wilma, a replay of potentially serious problems that arose last year but were never resolved. Article from Sun-Sentinel.com.

October 26, 2005 - Millions of Floridians are without power Wednesday, two days after Hurricane Wilma plowed across the peninsula, and some could be in the dark for weeks. Story from CNN.

The state provides generators for critical services, including hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers, but officials said there were no plans to supply generators to gas stations. Article from PalmBeachPost.com.


October 25, 2005 - Powerful Hurricane Wilma shredded trees, ripped through power lines and plunged more than 2.5 million homes and businesses into a darkness that could last for as long as "four weeks" officials said. Story from The Miami Herald.

South Florida's hospitals suffered considerable damage Monday, but kept functioning with emergency power. Story from The Miami Herald.


October 24, 2005 - Hurricane Wilma battered Florida for about six hours Monday with heavy rain, widespread flooding and damaging winds, before heading out to the Atlantic and regaining strength. Story from CNN.

Projected path of Hurricane Wilma from the WeatherChannel.com.

The ESRD Network #7 (Florida) web site is now back up.

October 21, 2005 - Network 7 is tracking the storm and working with the renal community to ensure all Florida patients have access to treatment. They will be documenting facility status and posting it to our website (www.fmqai.com) following assessment from the storm. Based on best practices from Katrina and Rita, Network 7 has added some materials to its disaster planning activities.

Wilma is expected to come under the influence of stronger westerly winds aloft blowing across the Gulf. That should shift the hurricane toward southern Florida by Sunday or even Monday.


October 20, 2005 - Wilma, a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph sustained winds, continues to weaken from its Wednesday morning peak of 175 mph. After undergoing a stunning intensification on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Wilma became the most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin when its pressure plunged to 882 mb (26.05" on your home barometer).


When floods occur, municipal water treatment officials may add large doses of chlorine/chloramines to water supplies in order to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases. This practice may present a danger to dialysis patients.

When chlorine/chloramines are present in high enough concentrations in dialysate, they can cause hemolysis (red blood cell destruction). Carbon filters in dialysis unit water treatment systems, designed to remove normal levels of chlorine/chloramines from city water, may be overwhelmed in these situations. Additional carbon filters, frequent changing of carbon filters, or frequent backwashing of the carbon beds may be required.

A major risk for dialysis patients and staff is drowning in vehicles when attempting to reach dialysis treatment centers.

Inland flooding is the leading cause of hurricane-related death in the U.S. When hurricane Floyd hit the eastern U.S. in 1999, of the 56 people who perished, 50 drowned due to inland flooding.

Flood safety information.Most flood deaths are due to FLASH FLOODS. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto related!! Never drive your automobile into moving water, especially if you cannot tell how deep the water is.

Here are some other on-line resources:

• Medicare has a 34-page guide with useful information entitiled, "Preparing for Emergencies: A Guide for People on Dialysis" (Adobe PDF). Medicare web page.
  
• Disaster Preparation page from ESRD Network #14 (Texas)
  
• Here is the Emergency Information Page from the ESRD Network #7 web site.
  
• How dialysis patients can plan for weather emergencies by Stephen Fadem, MD
  
• The National Hurricane Center web site
  
• The Weather Channel on-line.
  

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