Orlando, Fla., September 22, 2025 – A year ago this week, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, causing loss of life and catastrophic damage. Just a few weeks later, deadly Hurricane Milton tore a path of destruction through Central Florida, and as that anniversary approaches, HCA Florida’s Orlando-area hospitals are reinforcing their commitment to emergency preparedness and rapid response should the community experience a hurricane this season. HCA Florida Healthcare includes five hospitals in the Greater Orlando area: HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, Oviedo Medical Center, UCF Lake Nona Hospital, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital and HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital.
“Our location in Florida means many of our Orlando-area colleagues have firsthand experience in hurricane response, whether it’s protecting our patients and providing care or helping communities recover,” said Cullen Brown, CEO, HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. “The training and resources we receive from HCA Healthcare provides the critical assurance that we will have everything we need to maintain or resume operations and support our sister hospitals as needed.”
The largest healthcare system in the nation, HCA Healthcare’s resources include a national Enterprise Emergency Operations Center (EEOC). This multi-disciplinary team is ready year-round to support hospitals and communities in crisis. The EEOC annually trains more than 100 Incident Support Team members from across the U.S., including colleagues from Florida who have weathered several major storms.
In 2024, Florida endured one of its most active hurricane seasons in two decades, with three hurricanes making landfall on the Gulf Coast:
- Hurricane Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee on August 5 as a Category 1 storm, bringing sustained winds of 80 mph and widespread coastal flooding.
- Hurricane Helene struck near Perry on September 26 as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage and becoming the deadliest storm of the season.
- Hurricane Milton made landfall south of Tampa on October 9 as a Category 3 hurricane, prompting mass evacuations and unleashing historic storm surges and tornado outbreaks across Central Florida.
HCA Healthcare colleagues from across the country mobilized to support impacted sister hospitals, ensuring continuity of care and safety for patients and staff. Three of UCF Lake Nona Hospital’s colleagues traveled to support colleagues and patients at Asheville Memorial Hospital in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene’s deadly flooding. Nearly a year later, the experience remains very meaningful.
“Asheville Memorial Hospital, the staff and patients reminded me in the middle of fear and uncertainty that the smallest gestures of care restored hope and strength,” said Lissette Francis, director of case management at UCF Lake Nona Hospital. “For me to be there wasn’t a call to duty. It was an act of humanity. It was an honor and a humbling experience to stand beside my colleagues and to be in the moment when we were most needed.”
With two and a half months of hurricane season still to go, HCA Florida Healthcare urges residents to prepare for the unexpected. HCA Healthcare is honored to partner with and support the American Red Cross, which offers the following preparedness tips:
- Make a Kit: Include water (1 gallon per person/day), non-perishable food, flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, infant/pet supplies including pet carriers and vet records, hygiene items, important documents such as birth certificates and proof of homeowners and/or car insurance, phone chargers, blankets, maps, and emergency contacts.
- Make a Plan: Know how to reunite with family, evacuate safely if needed, and coordinate with schools, workplaces, and local emergency plans.
- Be Informed: Learn how local officials in your area will communicate during a disaster and where to find evacuation and safety updates. Visit this link to connect with your local county emergency management office for information and resources.
For additional hurricane preparedness and other information, visit Hurricane Preparedness | HCA Florida.
Provided by HCA Florida