U.S. Hospitals Are Facing Severe Flood Threats, Trump's Policies Increase Vulnerability

The KFF Health News investigation reveals that at least 170 hospitals across the United States are dangerously susceptible to flooding. Experts assert that policy changes under former President Trump are exacerbating the problem.

On the edges of the Tennessee River lies the Peninsula Hospital, where intense storms risk plunging the facility under 11 feet of water, severing road access entirely. Aurora, once a patient, describes the hospital’s precarious position as akin to being surrounded by a moat.

Despite Covenant Health's assurances of their emergency preparedness, specifics remain undisclosed. Peninsula is merely one of many hospitals, housing roughly 30,000 beds nationwide, highlighted by KFF Health News as situated in precarious locations prone to heavy flooding which could disrupt medical services and force evacuations.

Private Simulations Reveal New Threat Levels

Government flood assessments by FEMA have been the primary tool since the 1960s, but private companies like Fathom are now providing more current flood risk simulations. Still, much of this crucial data is hidden behind paywalls, leaving the public relying on outdated government maps, says Caleb Dresser from Harvard University.

The alarming instance of hospital floods includes Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and recent near-catastrophes such as in Unicoi County, Tennessee. FEMA, however, remains vague on specific hospital flood risks, stating broadly that flooding is both prevalent and underestimated.

Alice Hill, previously a climate risk expert for the Obama administration, criticizes the dismantling of protections, suggesting these changes endanger lives and squander resources.

Flood Risk Extends Across the Nation

Fathom's analysis indicates hundreds of hospitals could experience significant flooding, potentially rendering them inaccessible. This threat spans from large metropolitan centers to rural outposts, affecting trauma centers, care facilities, and critical access hospitals.

Numerous hospitals in states such as Florida and New York face coastal flooding, while those in Appalachia and the Midwest might contend with overflowing rivers. Even facilities in typically dry regions like the West are at risk.

Yet, FEMA’s outdated maps overlook many of these hospitals. For example, at Ochsner Choctaw General Hospital in Alabama, updated models predict severe flooding that FEMA's maps do not.

Preparedness Amid Looming Climate Threats

Modern weather patterns are amplifying storm severity, propelling previously low-risk areas into the flooding forefront. NOAA reports indicate a continuous rise in global temperatures, resulting in heavier rainfall.

Peninsula Hospital, although strategically protected by river-controlling dams, remains vulnerable. Fathom and other experts warn that extraordinary storms could overwhelm these safeguards.

Despite local skepticism, awareness is growing. Long-time resident Jack Goodwin is considering flood insurance, acknowledging that unprecedented events could occur.

Complex Challenges of Flood Management and Policy

Hurricane Helene’s havoc on Unicoi County Hospital exemplifies how swiftly rivers can besiege medical facilities. In Charleston, West Virginia, five hospitals could face simultaneous flooding.

Although some healthcare systems like CAMC have taken proactive steps, such as elevating infrastructure and procuring floodproofing gear, actual flood tests have yet to challenge these preparations.

Despite scientific consensus on climate change, political discourse around it remains contentious. The Trump administration's downplay of climate concerns, and budget cuts compound the nation’s unpreparedness for severe weather consequences, according to critics like Chad Berginnis.

Hospitals like the newly fortified Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital endure as hopeful blueprints for future flood readiness. Yet, as CEO Svetlana Lipyanskaya remarks, the inevitability of flooding looms large, regardless of immediate threats.