Links for Florida Veterans During Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma Updates – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Information on this page is current as of 10:30 a.m. EDT, Sept 7.  For the latest on VA’s response and inspiring stories of service to Veterans impacted by the hurricanes, read more on the blog. For those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, click here.

VA Medical Centers, Clinics and Other Facilities

Veterans from storm-affected areas who require immediate assistance may contact the Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571

For the latest updates on operations at specific VA facilities and associated clinics, please visit your facility’s website and the Facebook pages listed below. Information provided on the facility pages may be more current than what is posted here.

• VA Caribbean Healthcare System (website)  –  VA Caribbean Healthcare System (Facebook page)
  • All outpatient appointments and elective procedures at all the clinics in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have been cancelled for September 6 and 7, 2017. The Emergency Room located in the San Juan VA Hospital in Rio Piedras will continue operations. The VA Hospital has the coverage and supplies to continue services to Veterans admitted in the inpatient areas.
• San Juan Regional Benefit Office (website)
  • The VA San Juan Regional Benefit Office will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 7 for the entire day due to Hurricane Irma.
• Puerto Rico National Cemetery (website)
  • Puerto Rico National Cemetery will be closed until NOON today, Sept. 7, 2. All services scheduled for September 6th and 7th have been rescheduled or postponed.
• Miami VA Medical Center (website) – Miami VAMC (Facebook page)
• West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (website) – West Palm Beach VAMC (Facebook page)
• North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (website) – North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (Facebook page)
• Bay Pines VA Medical Center (website) – Bay Pines VAMC (Facebook page)
• Tampa VA Medical Center (website) – Tampa VAMC (Facebook page)
• Orlando VA Medical Center (website) – Orlando VAMC (Facebook page)
• VA Vet Centers –  updated information on Vet Center operating status in the affected region.
• Additional facility information:
  • The St. Petersburg Regional Benefit Office outbased locations in Sunrise and West Palm Beach will be closed beginning 12 pm, today, September 7. These offices will remain closed on Friday and Monday, September 8 and September 11.
  • The St. Petersburg Regional Office and all remaining outbased VBA locations in Florida will be closed on Friday and Monday, September 8 and September 11.

  VA Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan

  VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan for Veterans in Hurricane Irma impact areas. Eligible Veterans in the affected areas with a VA ID Card needing emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle (not older than 6 months and with refills available) to receive at least a 10 day supply. Note: This does not include controlled substances. Patients must present a valid VA ID Card.
  The Heritage Health Customer Care Line is available for VA patients in the affected areas at 1-866-265-0124, option 1. Heritage’s hours of operations for hurricane coverage: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

  VA Benefits

  VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration has developed mechanisms to help Veterans receive their benefit payments if their normal mail cannot be delivered.