Public health officials encourage residents in Liberty County, 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 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 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 gym or similar setting and could be several hours away.

The registry is a last resort, but if a hurricane is threatening the area, it is important that health department officials know where the most vulnerable residents are so 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 Registry and must follow their facility’s emergency plan.

Functional and access needs registrants are people 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 who may need help 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.