STATE EP Alert 2.19.26
North Country Severe Winter Weather
The Department of Health (DOH/the Department is warning home care and other health care providers to be prepared for severe weather Friday, February 20,2026 into the morning of Saturday, February 21. Heavy snow and up to ¼ inch of ice is possible.
Stay informed with real-time emergency and weather alert texts via the state’s Triple Three Triple One system. Test your county to 333111 to sign up for the free alert service. The system is not case sensitive.
HCS Emergency Applications
The Health Commerce System (HCS) is used for critical communications and data collection during emergencies. Be sure staff HCS accounts are up-to-date and active. Outdated home care agency contact information is an ongoing problem reported by the Department.
Access to the following HCS applications is crucial:
- The HCS Communications Directory
- The Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS)
- eFINDS Patient and Resident Tracking application (hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities)
Department of Health Guidance
Each year, the Department of Health (DOH/the Department) issues its annual Health Care Facility Guidance for the winter storm season, offering general information for all providers, as well as a section devoted to those serving home care and hospice patients.
HCP encourages our provider members to carefully review the notice in full and to share relevant information with staff and patients. Ensuring their safety is a top priority, especially as winter weather frequently impacts travel and living conditions across many areas of our state. The best way to accomplish this and maintain continuity of operations is to practice early preparation.
Guidance for Home Care Providers
Home care providers must review patient care needs and ensure that Level 1 cases are visited before an event or at least as early as possible in the course of bad winter weather. Remind all patients of important contacts in the event of power outages and/or medical emergencies. Check on patients before, during, and after a storm to ensure their safety and health are maintained. Be familiar with your organization’s policies and procedures to manage patients who refuse to evacuate.
Provide patients with the phone number of the local Office of Emergency Management (OEM). They can contact their OEM if life threatening power outages are a concern.
Staff and patients should have ample supplies to cover at least a 24-hour period before a storm, as well as a 72-hour period after the weather event subsides. This includes generator fuel for those dependent on power. Be mindful that supply deliveries can be delayed.
If travel remains difficult after the storm, agencies are advised to prioritize patients and adjust staff schedules based on proximity to assignments. Limit travel and stress staff safety. Be prepared to contact staffing services to cover cases if a large number of staff members are unable to travel to perform their duties.
Emergency Management Guidance for All Providers
Consult and review your agency’s emergency response and evacuation plan as soon as possible to ensure all policies and procedures are up to date. Ensure staff are aware of these procedures, and check that all contact information is current for staff and local emergency management partners. Be prepared to activate the plan if necessary.
HCP cannot stress this enough:
It is CRITICAL that your emergency contact 24/7 information is accurate in the Health Commerce System! Do not use a general office number or extension for this contact. DO provide a mobile number for the person at your organization that is responsible for responding to the Department before, during, and after an incident.
For winter weather events, pay particular attention to:
- Adequacy of redundant communication methods
- Regularity of staff and patient messaging
- Ability to provide supplies and assistance for stranded workers
- Adequacy of staff coverage for patient needs through the storm recovery period
- Emergency power for dependent patients and continuity of operations
During business hours, report issues and support needs to your local NYSDOH regional office and to your local Office of Emergency Management (OEM). After hours, contact the local OEM and the DOH Duty Officer phone line at 866-881-2809.
New York City providers needing services or supplies can reach out to their local offices of emergency management as noted in their winter weather plan.
Staying Healthy
Overexertion is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following a winter weather event. Staff must be mindful of the extra burden placed on the heart during shoveling and clearing vehicles. Urge everyone to know their health status and respect their individual physical limitations.
Be sure staff and patients are aware of the signs of cold weather health problems. Hypothermia, frostnip, and superficial and deep frostbite can all result from exposure to low temperatures, often caused by inadequate clothing. Those experiencing numbness or pain in exposed areas must seek medical attention. Intense shivering, slurred speech, drowsiness, and lack of coordination signal hypothermia, which is a medical emergency.
A Code Blue will automatically be in effect when the temperature and wind chill fall under 32°F.
