ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When asked about how to approach medical care and an incoming hurricane at the same time, Orlando Health Bayfront leaders had a simple message. 

What You Need To Know

  • Now is the time to call your doctor, hospital and medical facility to figure out the best plan for your medical needs ahead of, during and following Hurricane Milton

  • In Pinellas County, mandatory evacuation orders for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in evacuation zones A, B and C were issued Sunday. This impacts, six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities, totaling about 6,600 patients

  • Hospitals are not shelters, and people should not expect to be able to stay at a hospital unless they are actively receiving medical care. In an emergency, still call 911

  • SEE ALSO: County by county Hurricane Milton report

“Avoid fear. Plan now,” said Eric Alberts, Assistant Vice President of Emergency Management for Orlando Health. “Each hospital, each health care facility is in a different zone, and you have to be mindful of that zone and whether they’re open or not. And one of the best ways is just looking at their websites.” 

By Sunday evening, Pinellas County issued mandatory evacuation orders for long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals in evacuation zones A, B and C due to the threat posed by Hurricane Milton.

This order affects six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities, totaling about 6,600 patients. On Monday, it expanded to all residents in evacuation zones A, B and C and all mobile home residents countywide.

HCA Florida had two of those six hospitals. HCA said in a statement, “In preparation for Hurricane Milton, HCA Florida Largo West Hospital (Indian Rocks Road campus) and HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital have initiated the transfer of patients to other facilities. The main campus of HCA Florida Largo Hospital will remain open. We have a patient reunification hotline that has been established at 1-844-482-4821.”

Orlando Health Bayfront is not in an evacuation zone.

“Fortunately, here at Bayfront Hospital, we are not in an immediate evacuation zone. So the one that is for us is Pinellas Park, which is one of our freestanding emergency departments. And we’ve already got plans in place to readdress for that secure and relocate our staff,” said Alberts. 

For those with medical needs, now is the time to call your doctor, hospital or medical facility and make a plan best suited for you. 

However, if you do need emergency medical care just before, during or after the storm hits, call 911. 

“Hospitals and freestanding emergency departments are not shelters,” said Alberts. “So we really need to be looking at our shelter locations that if you don’t feel safe after Hurricane Helene or other flooding situations, now’s the time to find that shelter.”