Tidelands Health in Georgetown, S.C., and Grand Strand Health in Myrtle Beach, S.C., have requested waivers that would allow the facilities to defy a mandatory evacuation and remain open during Hurricane Irma.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, R, issued a medical evacuation order Thursday for hospitals and nursing homes in several coastal counties. Tidelands Health and Grand Strand are in two counties asked to evacuate — Horry and Georgetown.
However, Tidelands Health said it has applied for waivers that would allow Tidelands Georgetown (S.C.) Memorial Hospital and Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet, S.C., to remain open throughout the hurricane.
"Patients who are hospitalized have complex medical needs and a medical evacuation presents numerous challenges and risks," Tidelands Health COO Gayle Resetar said. "Our hospitals were built with severe weather in mind, and we have the resources we need on hand to safely care for our patients — everything from medication and food to back-up generator power."
Grand Strand Health has also applied for waivers to remain open.
"At this time, we expect that Grand Strand & South Strand Medical Centers and North Strand ER will operate throughout this weather event," according to a statement on the hospital's website.
As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, the state has not decided whether to grant the hospitals' requests.