Healthcare facilities on Florida’s Gulf Coast, still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene, are now bracing for Hurricane Milton, anticipated to be one of the most potent storms to hit the region in years. Expected to reach the Tampa area late Wednesday, the impending storm has prompted long-term care facilities in evacuation zones to transfer their patients elsewhere, while hospitals are gearing up to stay operational during the weather event.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ website reported evacuations from ten hospitals by Tuesday afternoon. Additionally, as of the article’s publication, around 300 health care facilities, including 63 nursing homes and 169 assisted living facilities, have evacuated, marking a significant effort that health officials described as the state’s largest evacuation ever.
Healthcare professionals are leveraging nearly 600 vehicles to transport patients out of the storm’s path, utilizing blue wristbands for tracking purposes. The evacuation operations are ongoing, with plans to continue until weather conditions become unsafe, aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the impending storm.
Hospitals like Tampa General Hospital have made extensive preparations, stockpiling supplies and implementing protective measures such as using AquaFence to prevent storm surge flooding. Other health care networks, including HCA Florida Healthcare and AdventHealth, have carried out strategic evacuations and equipped their facilities to weather the storm.
While hospitals are adapting to the impending crisis, steps are being taken to address the specific needs of vulnerable populations like nursing home residents. High concentrations of nursing centers in the state’s west coast regions have necessitated proactive measures to safeguard residents and maintain essential services throughout the storm’s impact.
As the region braces for Hurricane Milton, emergency preparedness efforts are in full swing, emphasizing the importance of local coordination and ensuring the well-being of individuals, especially those with unique healthcare needs, amid the challenging circumstances posed by consecutive storms. Staff and residents across health care facilities are navigating evacuation protocols and fortifying their facilities to weather the approaching storm, underlining the collective readiness and resilience of Florida’s healthcare system in the face of adversity.
