Hurricane Milton has forced 6,600 patients to evacuate from Florida healthcare facilities

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

I've never forgotten the one nightshift I transferred out 24 patients to other units/discharged home patients one night from a Philadelphia hospital and began accepting 26 patients starting at 6AM from a Philly nursing home who's staff was on strike.  Hospital even had SNF patients in old maternity and OR rooms--96  patients arrived by time I was back for night shift next day.  Heard that 600 ambulances were involved in Florida evacuation per cable news reports. Karen

ABC News 10/7/2024

Florida hospitals, health care centers close ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall

The Gulf storm strengthened to Category 5 Monday.
 

Quote

Dozens of health care facilities in Florida are suspending services and/or preparing to evacuate as Hurricane Milton approaches.

On Sunday, Pinellas County – located on the west central Florida coast and including Clearwater and St. Petersburg – issued mandatory evacuation orders for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in three evacuation zones.

The order affects six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities, totaling about 6,600 patients, according to the order....

Praying storm lessens to Category 2-3 upon reaching land.