Hospitals in Florida Begin to Reopen After Hurricane Milton's Impact

 

Hospitals across Florida are gradually reopening after the powerful Hurricane Milton forced them to evacuate patients, shut down operations, and cancel surgeries. The Category 3 hurricane, one of the most severe in Florida’s history, made landfall near Sarasota on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage. At least 10 storm-related deaths have been reported, with officials expecting the death toll to rise as assessments continue.

Despite the devastation caused by storm surges, tornadoes, heavy winds, and intense rainfall, officials noted that the storm weakened before hitting land, preventing a worse outcome.

John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, praised the hospital's preparedness efforts, stating, "Preparing for Hurricane Milton was a true test of our resources, but it ensured we could continue to provide high-quality, uninterrupted care before, during, and after the storm."

Milton initially gained strength as a Category 5 hurricane earlier in the week, with predictions of widespread destruction across Florida. Floridians, already on edge after Hurricane Helene had struck Tampa Bay just two weeks earlier, evacuated in large numbers. Highways I-75 and I-4 were packed with people fleeing the storm’s path.

Healthcare facilities took swift action as well, with 212 evacuating ahead of the storm, including 10 hospitals, 115 assisted living facilities, and 50 nursing homes. Tampa General remained open and protected its campus with an impermeable "aquafence." However, its satellite locations were forced to close, with normal operations expected to resume by Friday.

AdventHealth and HCA Healthcare, which both operate hospitals in the region, also reported minimal damage. AdventHealth’s facilities saw only minor water intrusion, while HCA evacuated over 400 patients to safer locations throughout the state. In Largo, one HCA hospital was affected by flooding, while other locations in Tampa Bay remain temporarily closed.

As recovery efforts continue, officials have warned residents to remain at home due to widespread flooding and blocked roads. More than 3 million people have lost power, and some regions, such as St. Petersburg, saw up to 18 inches of rainfall during the storm.

Normal operations for hospitals are expected to resume in the coming days as cleanup efforts progress across Florida.