An electrical fire knocked out power yesterday to the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Fla., as Tropical Storm Hermine neared the area. A total of 209 patients, including 12 that were critically ill, were evacuated overnight. The patients were being taken to other hospitals.
According to a report from WFLA News, the fire was reported in the generator room around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, knocking out power to most of the hospital. Bayonet Point did not have enough backup power generation capacity to safely operate the facility.
Rescue crews and law enforcement from five counties — Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumpter and Polk — responded, along with the City of Clearwater, to assist in the mass evacuation, which lasted until 1 a.m. Thursday.
Critically ill patients were evacuated first. Those patients were on ventilators in the Intensive Care Unit.
