By Charles Michelson, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP
As hurricane season approaches, hospitals throughout coastal and storm-prone communities are again preparing for one of their most important responsibilities: remaining operational when their patients, staff and neighbors need them most. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and hospital leaders know that preparation must begin long before a storm appears on the radar.
For hospitals, hurricane readiness includes far more than installing shutters or stocking bottled water. Facilities review emergency management plans, test backup generators, inspect fuel supplies, secure medical gases, confirm vendor agreements, update evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures, and coordinate with local emergency management agencies. The goal is to protect patients, support staff and maintain continuity of care during a time when the surrounding community may be experiencing widespread disruption.
What has changed over the past decade is the level of detail and sophistication behind that planning. Ten years ago, many hurricane plans focused primarily on wind damage, flooding and power loss. Today, hospitals are planning for longer-duration disruptions, supply chain interruptions, fuel shortages, communications failures, cybersecurity threats, staff housing challenges and the needs of medically fragile patients who depend on dialysis, oxygen, refrigerated medications or electrically powered equipment.
Just as important as the physical building is the preparation of the hospital workforce. Before hurricane season, many hospitals update staffing plans, confirm emergency ride-out teams, arrange sleeping areas and meals for essential personnel, and identify ways to support employees’ families so staff can remain focused on patient care. Hospitals also coordinate closely with county emergency management, EMS, nursing homes, dialysis centers, pharmacies and utility providers. This coordination helps determine which patients may need early transfer, which services must remain available and how the community will handle a surge in emergency needs after the storm has passed.
Technology has significantly changed hospital hurricane preparation. Modern facilities now use advanced weather tracking, digital command centers, electronic patient records, telehealth platforms and mass notification systems to maintain care and communication before, during and after a storm. Cloud-based records allow patient information to remain accessible even if a campus is damaged. Real-time dashboards can help hospital leaders monitor bed capacity, staffing, supplies, generator performance and incoming emergency department volumes.
Sustainability has also become part of preparedness. Hospitals are increasingly investing in stronger building envelopes, impact-resistant glazing, elevated mechanical systems, flood mitigation, energy-efficient equipment, water conservation systems and more resilient power infrastructure. In many cases, sustainability and resilience overlap directly. Energy-efficient systems reduce utility demand during normal operations and can reduce the load placed on emergency generators during a storm. Improved insulation, roofing and glazing can help protect patients while lowering energy consumption year-round. Water-saving fixtures and storage planning can help facilities continue essential services if municipal systems are disrupted.
Recent hurricanes have also reinforced the importance of planning for recovery, not just survival during the storm. Hospitals must be prepared for delayed staff relief, damaged roadways, limited fuel deliveries, disrupted supply chains and increased demand in emergency departments once residents begin cleanup. As a result, many facilities now plan for several days of independent operation, with more attention given to food, water, linen, pharmaceuticals, fuel contracts and redundant communication systems.
Ultimately, hurricane preparation is no longer just about boarding windows and stocking supplies. It is about designing, operating and managing hospitals as essential community infrastructure. The goal is simple but critical: keep patients safe, support healthcare workers and continue delivering care when the community is under the greatest stress. As storms become more complex and communities more dependent on uninterrupted healthcare services, hospitals are responding with stronger buildings, smarter systems and more sustainable strategies for the future.
Charles Michelson, President, Saltz Michelson Architects, can be reached at (954) 266-2700 or cmichelson@saltzmichelson.com or visit www.saltzmichelson.com.
