Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico (2018)

Page 166

PERFORMANCE OF HOSPITALS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND MID-RISE BUILDINGS

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Toa Baja Fire Station

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Florida Fire Station

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Palmas del Mar Fire Station

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Corozal Police Station

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Culebra Police Station

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Figure 5-1: Fire stations, police stations, other public buildings, and hospitals visited by the MAT and discussed in this report.

5.1 Hospitals Hospitals played a critical role while facing major challenges in response to Hurricane Maria. Even as businesses and other public facilities closed ahead of the storm, demand for healthcare services continued. Because Hurricane Maria affected nearly all of Puerto Rico, individual hospitals did not have the option to relocate their patients to other facilities until the storm passed. Yet, hospitals often suffered the same types of damage that affected other buildings. High-speed winds and wind-driven rain damaged hospital facilities, while prolonged power outages impeded services and threatened stores of medicines. Many hospitals suffered extensive physical damage that resulted in complete loss of function. Others worked to continue life-saving care in the face of frequent power outages, limited supplies, and limited usable space. The MAT visited several hospitals and healthcare facilities shortly after the storm to observe facility performance and assess lessons learned for future mitigation. In October and December 2017, the MAT visited five hospitals in Puerto Rico to evaluate damage and gather information, three on the north side of the island of Puerto Rico, one on the island of Vieques, and one on the island of Culebra: ●●Pavia Arecibo Hospital, Arecibo ●●Dr. Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital, Bayamón (University Hospital) 5-2

MITIGATION ASSESSMENT TEAM REPORT

HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA IN PUERTO RICO


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