Florida's Health Care System Braces for Impact: Hurricane Milton Forces Record Evacuations

Hospitals and long-term care facilities on Florida's Gulf Coast are evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit south of Tampa. The storm has prompted the largest evacuation ever in the state, with facilities deploying vehicles to relocate patients amid concerns about flooding and power outages.

Hospitals and health care facilities along Florida's Gulf Coast are gearing up for Hurricane Milton, just weeks after dealing with Hurricane Helene. This powerful storm is predicted to make landfall south of Tampa on Wednesday, prompting mandatory evacuations of long-term care facilities while hospitals prepare to remain open.

State health officials, including those from Gov. Ron DeSantis' office, report the evacuation of 10 hospitals and 300 health care facilities, marking the largest such operation in Florida's history. Patients are being moved out of the storm's path using nearly 600 vehicles tracked by wristbands to ensure proper relocation.

Southeastern hospitals, like Tampa General Hospital, are fortifying their defences with aquafences and stockpiling resources. Meanwhile, HCA Florida Healthcare and AdventHealth North Pinellas have relocated patients ahead of the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Milton.

(With inputs from agencies.)