Major Flood Risks Threaten Over 170 US Hospitals Amid Climate and Policy Challenges

A recent investigation reveals that more than 170 hospitals across the United States face significant flood risks due to climate change and inadequate infrastructure resilience. Using advanced flood simulation technology from Fathom, researchers identified hospitals vulnerable to flooding from heavy storms, rising river levels, and sea surges, especially in coastal and inland areas. Notably, Peninsula Hospital in Tennessee, situated near the Tennessee River, is projected to be submerged in an 11-foot flood during intense storms, illustrating the severity of potential hazards.

Many of these hospitals, encompassing nearly 30,000 patient beds nationally, are located in regions prone to flooding, including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New York, and inland areas like Appalachia and the Midwest. Critical access hospitals, often the only healthcare providers within 25 miles, are particularly at risk, threatening emergency care and patient safety.

Alarmingly, federal flood maps like those from FEMA are often outdated or insufficient to guide proper planning. Private firms like Fathom provide more detailed simulations, but access is limited, leaving hospitals and communities under-informed. Experts express concern that the lack of accurate risk assessments hampers effective emergency preparedness.

The investigation highlights tragic past events, such as Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact on New Orleans hospitals and recent near-misses like Hurricane Helene evacuations in Tennessee. The current federal administration, under President Trump, has reduced funding and dismantled programs aimed at flood mitigation and infrastructure resilience, including efforts to incorporate climate change considerations into flood planning.

Legal and environmental experts warn that neglecting climate-driven risks will lead to increased costs, higher mortality, and greater strain on healthcare systems. Urban centers are not immune, with predictions of severe flooding around hospitals and other critical infrastructure in city and rural areas alike.

Overall, the report underscores the urgent need for updated risk mapping, proactive infrastructure investments, and policy adjustments to better prepare US hospitals for the realities of climate change and worsening storms. With rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, the threat of hospital flooding is now ubiquitous, demanding immediate attention to safeguard public health.