Every year when storm season rolls into North Texas—hail, blackouts, sometimes even tornado watches—I start getting the same questions from my patients with diabetes.
“Doc, what happens if I can’t refrigerate my insulin?”
“What if I get stuck without my meds for a few days?”
“Should I be doing something now to prepare?”
Short answer? Yes.
Whether it’s a flash flood, power outage, or even something as unexpected as a boil-water notice (we’ve had those here in Lewisville too), it’s smart—no, necessary—for diabetics to have an emergency kit ready.
Why Diabetes Emergencies Look Different in Texas
People here in the DFW area face some unique challenges. For starters, our weather doesn’t give much warning. I’ve seen perfectly sunny mornings turn into neighborhood blackouts by dinner. And when the grid’s under pressure—as we’ve all experienced—people with diabetes are at a higher risk of serious complications.
A missed dose. Spoiled insulin. Dehydration. Delayed access to food. All these can spiral fast.
I’ve found that patients who have a kit ready—just in case—tend to avoid ER visits during storms. It’s that simple.
Patient Scenario: The Kit That Would’ve Helped
A few years ago, I had a patient—late 50s, school bus driver in Denton—come in after a tornado warning had shut down his power for three days. He was rationing insulin because he wasn’t sure if it had spoiled. Didn’t want to risk using it.
Turned out he’d slipped into DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and had to be admitted. He didn’t know about cooling packs or the fact that unopened insulin can tolerate room temp for a while. It wasn’t his fault. No one had ever walked him through what an emergency plan for diabetes should look like.
It’s one of those moments that stuck with me.
Here’s the Checklist I Give My Own Patients
No fluff here. Just 10 items I consider non-negotiable if you or a loved one has diabetes and lives in a disaster-prone area like ours.
1. At Least 7 Days’ Worth of Medication (With Scripts)
Keep a backup of your:
- Insulin pens or vials
- Oral meds (like metformin, glipizide, etc.)
- Syringes or pen needles
Also: get paper copies of your prescriptions in a ziplock bag. If your pharmacy’s system is down or you evacuate, you’ll need them.
2. A Portable Cooler or Frio Pack
This is critical for insulin-dependent patients.
Insulin doesn’t always need refrigeration—but it does need to stay under 86°F. And let’s be honest: that’s a tough ask in August in Dallas when the AC’s out.
Frio packs work without ice, just water activation. I recommend them to almost every insulin user I see.
3. Glucose Monitoring Supplies (and Extras)
Make sure you’ve got:
- Glucometer + extra batteries
- Test strips
- Lancets
- Alcohol swabs
Bonus if you have a backup meter. I’ve had patients’ meters short out after they were stored too close to a melted ice pack.
4. A Written Log of Recent Blood Sugars and Med Changes
Technology is great—until your phone dies or the signal’s down. I tell my patients: jot down the last week’s glucose readings, your insulin-to-carb ratios, and any changes we’ve made.
It helps tremendously if you end up needing to explain things in an ER or urgent care that doesn’t have your chart.
5. Fast-Acting Carbs (and Protein)
Think:
- Glucose tabs
- Juice boxes
- Small bags of Skittles or hard candy
- Peanut butter or protein bars
Not every emergency is about high sugars. Hypoglycemia can sneak up fast when your meal routine gets disrupted.
6. A Flashlight, Manual Can Opener, and First Aid Kit
Not diabetes-specific, but still essential. Many patients with neuropathy don’t feel minor injuries—and in the dark, they’re even easier to miss.
Quick side note: we had a patient in Carrollton step on a nail during a blackout. Didn’t notice until the foot turned red and swollen. Diabetic foot wounds don’t mess around. Pack the first aid kit.
7. Bottled Water & Electrolyte Replacements
Dehydration raises blood sugar. It also makes insulin less effective. Aim for at least one gallon per person per day—more if you’re on diuretics or metformin (which can increase fluid loss).
Powdered Gatorade or electrolyte tabs can be a lifesaver when the heat index hits 110.
8. A Copy of Your Medication List and Emergency Contacts
Include:
- All current medications and doses
- Pharmacy name and phone
- Primary care doctor (that’s us!)
- Emergency contacts and any allergies
I once treated a patient who had to be airlifted after a tornado. He had no ID, no med list, and was nonverbal due to a stroke. A simple sheet of paper could’ve changed everything.
9. Backup Power Source (Battery Bank or Solar Charger)
Not everyone needs this—but if you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or insulin pump, it’s a game-changer. Even keeping your phone charged to access your portal or log readings matters.
I recommend at least a 10,000 mAh portable charger. Some of our patients have solar panels they clip to their backpack. Not a bad idea.
10. Hard Copy of Emergency Instructions
We provide these at Health Express Clinics. They include:
- Signs of high or low blood sugar
- When to go to the ER
- Sick-day management rules
- Adjusting insulin if you can’t eat
You can also write down your action plan in plain English—just in case someone else needs to help you.
Common Questions I Hear in the Clinic
“Can insulin really go bad that fast?”
Yes, especially if it’s exposed to heat for more than a few hours. Some insulins tolerate room temp for up to 28 days, but temps above 86°F degrade them faster. Texas summers can spoil a vial in your car in minutes.
“What if I run out of strips or insulin and can’t reach my doctor?”
That’s why it’s so important to have paper scripts and know which local pharmacies stay open during emergencies. Also, keep your insurance card handy—some plans allow emergency refills.
“Is it okay to eat shelf-stable meals like canned soup or ramen?”
Sure, but watch the carbs and sodium. Keep something with protein (like tuna or beans) to balance it out. And drink lots of water—those foods are salty.
“Do I need different supplies if I’m on a pump?”
Yes. Bring extra infusion sets, reservoirs, and manual syringes just in case your pump fails. Also keep insulin vials or pens as backup.
A Pattern I’ve Noticed in Our North Texas Patients
Here’s something interesting—and a bit frustrating. Many of our DFW patients are well-educated about diet and exercise but under-prepared for emergencies. They’ll know their carb count to the gram, but haven’t packed a single backup pen.
Why? I think part of it is that disasters here feel rare until they happen. But as we saw with the 2021 winter freeze and recent tornado watches, it only takes one to disrupt everything.
A Study Worth Knowing About
In 2022, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology published data showing that natural disasters were linked to significant increases in diabetic complications—mainly because of interrupted care and insulin access.
As a physician, that hit home. We can’t control the weather—but we can prepare our patients better.
My Teachable Moment
A young type 1 patient of mine—college student, lives near the UNT campus—once came in after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. She wasn’t directly impacted, but had visited family and got stranded without insulin. She improvised with expired pens and protein bars, managing better than I expected.
What struck me was her mindset: “I just kept thinking—what would Dr. Parmar do?”
That made me realize we need to talk about emergency prep before it becomes urgent.
Final Thoughts & Action Step
If you have diabetes and live in North Texas, you need an emergency kit.
Not next week. Not when the next watch is issued. Now.
We can help you personalize it. We know what meds you’re on, what devices you use, what risks apply. We’ve walked patients through it before, and we’ll do it again.
Just ask at your next visit—or give us a call. Your future self will thank you.
Stay Safe, Stay Prepared
Living with diabetes means planning for the unexpected. But with the right tools in place, you can face anything—from a blackout to a blizzard—with confidence.
We’re here if you need help building your emergency kit. No judgment. Just practical advice from a team that gets it.