As the 2017 hurricane season approaches, public health officials encourage area residents, who may have functional, access, or medical needs and no way to evacuate if a storm is coming, to register with the Liberty County Health Department.

The Functional, Access, and Medical Needs Registry is for residents who may require transportation and medical assistance during an 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 a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening, it is important that officials know where the most vulnerable residents are so that evacuation assistance can be provided. People living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes are not eligible for the registry 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. They include 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 medical professionals. This includes those individuals who may need assistance with managing unstable, terminal, or contagious conditions that require observation and ongoing treatment.

To apply, residents should call the Liberty County Health Department at 912-876-2173. The application and protected health information authorization form can also be downloaded at gachd.org/registry.