More Hospitals at Risk of Flooding from Hurricanes

The risk of hospitals flood is increased by ongoing challenges with climate change.

By Mackenna Moralez


Nearly 50 percent of hospitals along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at risk of flooding from a Category 2 hurricane, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Potentially, 147 hospitals with 41,493 beds are at risk from a category 1 storm, while 306 hospitals with 84,842 beds are at risk of flooding with a Category 4 storm.  

The risk of flooding increases for certain metro areas when accounting for forecasted rises in sea level. Areas that could be impacted by flooding due to a category 2 storm include: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Virginia Beach, Virginia: Corpus Christi, Texas; Philadelphia; and Boston. The rise in sea level expected this century as a result of climate change increases the odds of hospital flooding by 22 percent, according to the study.  

The top 10 metro areas where a Category 2 hurricane threatens access to hospital care are as follows: 

  • Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach-  Florida (77.6 percent) 
  • New York-Newark-Jersey City – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (19.5 percent) 
  • Boston-Cambridge-Newton-Massachusetts (15 percent) 
  • Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford – Florida (33.3 percent) 
  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater – Florida (28.6 percent) 
  • Nort Port – Sarasota – Bradenton – Florida (85.7 percent) 
  • Jacksonville – Florida (42.9 percent) 
  • Cape Coral – Fort Myers – Florida (80 percent) 
  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland (10 percent) 


October 12, 2022


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

The Difference of Tracking Occupants and Visitors in Healthcare

Access control manufacturers discuss the difference and importance of tracking people in healthcare facilities.


Ardent Health Services Ensnared in Ransomware Attack

The organization became aware of this incident on the morning of November 23.


Northwell Health Opens Cancer Center and Multispecialty Practice in Queens

The $52 million, 70,000-square-foot facility is a transformative suite of medical practices.


The Lasting Effects of Staffing Shortages in Healthcare Facilities

Staffing shortages continue to plague healthcare facilities, leading to unintended consequences for some of them.


Warren General Hospital Experiences Data Breach

The data breach occurred in late September.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.