Tampa General Hospital Braces for Hurricane Milton's Record Storm Surge

The hospital has implemented extensive flood defenses, but concerns remain about their effectiveness against the storm's potential impact.

Tampa General Hospital, located in a high-risk flood zone, is using an AquaFence flood barrier to protect against Hurricane Milton's anticipated storm surge.
The flood barrier, successful during Hurricane Helene, is designed to withstand up to 15 feet of storm surge, but Milton's surge could reach that limit.
Additional measures include on-site water and energy supplies, with the hospital prepared to maintain operations as the region's only Level I trauma center.
Hospital officials have reinforced the AquaFence to handle winds up to 130 mph, but Milton's winds could exceed this threshold.
Local authorities have issued stark warnings, urging residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate as Milton threatens to be the worst storm in over a century.