By HFT Editorial Staff

Norwood Hospital is breaking ground on its replacement facility after severe flooding forced the hospital to close last year.

As Healthcare Facilities Today reported, floodwaters cost the Massachusetts hospital tens of millions of dollars as the storm overtook the hospital basement, parking lot and damaged the HVAC and mechanical systems. According to NBC Boston, town leaders were anxious to repair the hospital as it has put a strain on the town’s ambulances.

The new hospital will be built on its existing footprint and will hold 130 acute care beds, according to NBC Boston. This will be the first hospital construction in more than 25 years for the area.

"I just feel great for the fact that this community, which relied on this hospital for over 100 years, is going to be able to continue to rely on this hospital for many, many years to come," says Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker.