Hurricane Michael hit the U.S. as a Category 4 storm on Oct. 10. At least eight hospitals in Florida were forced to close and evacuate patients, and others suffered extensive structural damage.
However, one rural hospital was able to successfully navigate patient care during the storm, despite operational disadvantages and other issues caused by the severe weather event, according to the Rome News-Tribune.
Officials at Colquitt, Ga.-based Miller County Hospital said the facility, which had been relying on generators during the storm, suffered a real blow when the city — and thereby the hospital — lost its water supply for 18 hours on Oct. 10, the report states. While the 25-bed critical access hospital had a week's worth of drinking water on hand, it did not have enough water for patients on dialysis. However, staff were able to connect those patients to equipment that didn't require water.
"Our county looks like Katrina," Miller County Hospital CEO Robin Rau said, referring to the devastation inflicted upon the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. "I have been in healthcare administration for about 30 years. I've never had to deal with anything like this before."
The hospital stocked up on food, cots and air mattresses before the hurricane was expected to land. Once it hit, Miller County Hospital provided shelter to roughly 140 patients, as well as staff and their families.
Ms. Rau said in the future, the hospital may consider digging its own well to provide an independent water supply from the city's, according to the report.
To access the report, click here.