Hurricane season in the southern part of the United States is no joke. Those who live there do their best to prepare their homes and businesses for damaging winds and rains. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, bringing with it an unprecedented path of destruction. The category four storm left at least 1 million people without power and claimed the lives of 22 thus far.
Videos by InspireMore
Tampa Hospital Prepared For Hurricane Helene With An AquaFence
Being prepared and listening to expert advice to evacuate is so important for everyone’s safety. When flooding and power outages occur, it can be nearly impossible for first responders to get to stranded people. However, some businesses, like Tampa General Hospital, can’t evacuate, so they must take huge precautions.
An incredible TikTok video from September 26 shows the hospital’s “AquaFence” keeping several feet of water out. Patients, staff, and guests all remained safe inside. Dustin Pasteur, vice president of facilities at TGH, told Fox 13 that preparing the AquaFence takes three days and 60 people. The fence is nine feet tall and 1,000 feet long.
“We’re a 100-year-old hospital, and we’re right here on the bay. We can’t evacuate,” he explained. “There are not enough hospital beds in the region to take our patients.”
The AquaFence cost $1 million and the facility used it for the first time in 2021. Fox 13 reported Tampa is the only hospital in the world to use an AquaFence for protection.
TikToker @howellgirly, who claims to work at TGH, posted a video of the fence and people were extremely impressed.
“Thank you to all healthcare workers who continue to do their jobs and save lives, day in and day out, even during hurricanes and floods. Stay safe,” someone commented.
This story’s featured image is by Joe Raedle/Getty Images.
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