October 9, 2024- Hospitals and healthcare facilities across the state of Florida, already significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene, are now preparing for Hurricane Milton, according to AP News. Hurricane Milton, which is shaping up to be the most powerful to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in decades, is predicted to make landfall south of the Tampa area Wednesday evening. 10 hospitals have reported evacuations as of Tuesday afternoon, October 8. Three hundred health care facilities have evacuated as of Tuesday morning, including 63 nursing homes and 169 assisted living facilities, according to AP News and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ website.
Health officials are deploying nearly 600 vehicles to take patients out of the storm’s path, tracking them with blue wristbands that show where they were evacuated from and where they are being sent. They plan to keep getting patients out through the night, until winds reach sustained speeds of 40 mph and driving conditions become unsafe.
Tampa General Hospital has stocked up on more than five days of supplies, including food, linens and 5,000 gallons of water, in addition to an on-site well. In the event of a power disruption, the hospital also has an energy plant with generators and boilers located 33 feet above sea level.
Continue Reading from AP News.