The Florida County Health Department Epidemiology Hurricane Toolkit, developed by the Florida Department of Health, helps county health departments (CHD) plan for and carry out the epidemiologic responses to natural disasters.

The included tools are designed to be flexible to a wide range of situations, such as:

• Hurricanes
• Wildfires
• Flooding
• Tornadoes
• Other natural disasters

After an event, the impacted area can experience extensive infrastructure damage, including health resources. At times, the CHD will function at close to a normal level, while at other times its own facilities and staff are severely impacted and will require extensive outside assistance. The details of the response will differ, based on needs.

The toolkit offers guidance on the following topics:

• CHD response activities
•  Surveillance
• Outbreak response
•  Infection control guidance