August 30, 2023- To protect patients from possible flooding and storm surge from Hurricane Idalia, three Tampa Bay hospitals were evacuated on Monday.
HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital in New Port Richey and HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital were taken by ambulance to other HCA facilities.
Tampa Bay’s only Level 1 trauma center, Tampa General Hospital, will be the main destination for first responders in the area who are injured during the hurricane. Lower floors of the hospital have submarine doors, thick metal barrier doors with watertight seals, and critical systems were relocated to be 25 feet above ground.
The “extremely dangerous” Category 3 hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall later this week in Florida. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for parts of the Gulf Coast, and evacuation orders have been issued in many areas.