October 8, 2024- Healthcare providers across the state of Florida are gearing up for another severe weather event less than two weeks after damage from Hurricane Helene, according to Fierce Healthcare. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida noted that the state was prioritizing hospitals alongside other critical infrastructure. The Florida Department of Health has deployed nearly 600 emergency response vehicles and 200 ambulances on hand to support first responders, according to Fierce Healthcare.
The short turnaround after Hurricane Helene has officials worried that saturated groundwater, strained infrastructure, and uncleared debris may compound damage. Hurricane Milton has now strengthened to a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico as of midday Monday, according to the National Weather Service and Fierce Healthcare, and is expected to drop to a Category 3 when it makes landfall late Wednesday into Thursday.