Norwood Hospital in Massachusetts underwent emergency evacuation due to the flood catastrophe brought about by severe thunderstorms that hit the state on Sunday, June 28. Hospital workers were reportedly running for their safety as the floodwaters broke down the basement doors of the building.
Around 80 patients were evacuated to safety as medical apparatuses, kitchen appliances, and other equipment were left floating in the basement.
According to Salvatore Perla, the president of Norwood Hospital, the flood was significant, and it came through multiple areas in the hospital. Fortunately, they were able to get through the calamity with zero injuries.
She added that 20 ICU patients had to be transferred to other nearby hospitals around 7:30 P.M. on Sunday. Much later during the night, 60 to 70 more patients had to be evacuated due to the power outage.
A statement from Norwood Hospital early on Monday said that the torrential downpour of rain and flood caused an electrical issue that led to the emergency evacuation. She says they cannot assume that a facility could endure eight feet of floodwater and think that there would be a fail-safe.
Also Read: Unprecedented Flooding Worst in Decades
Incredible storm hitting #NorwoodMA, some of the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen in my life. Intense lightning, hail, and what felt like microburst winds. Power is now out. #MAWX @NWSBoston pic.twitter.com/YKdlATvfq5 — Shaun Ganley (@sganley) June 28, 2020
Raging Thunderstorm and Flash Flood in Massachusetts
On Sunday evening, the National Weather Service issued numerous thunderstorm and flash flood warnings. Some parts of the Greater Boston area were also included in the alerts. The majority of the state was under a severe thunderstorm watch, except for Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Cape Cod.
The thunderstorms brought incessant lightning strikes, with gusts of wind up to 60 miles per hour and heavy rain downpours. There were also multiple reports of large hail and toppled down trees in the area.
Police were also busy attending to stranded drivers stuck in floodwaters across Norwood Sunday night. Additionally, there were also some power outages at main intersections from Route 1 at Dean Street to Washington Street.
According to William Brooks, the Norwood Police Chief, the flooding was so drastic that two utility hole covers were lifted out of place and drifted down Washington Street and landed further down south Norwood.
Meanwhile, multiple cars have also been seen submerged in water due to the flooding in Norwood Hospital's parking lot.
The Aftermath in Norwood Hospital
Local sources reported that fire crews worked all night to secure the hospital. Furthermore, they also brought in a crew from several neighboring towns for assistance.
According to George Morrice, Norwood's Fire Chief, they initially had an ambulance task force, but they, later on, called on a second one to make sure they had enough help. The additional ambulances came in handy as they had to move more patients later on during the power outage at night.
As of Monday morning, the Emergency Department remained closed as crews pumped out water from the hospital's basement. Moreover, patients that needed urgent care were being brought to nearby hospitals in Needham and Attleboro.
According to some of the hospital's administrators, some parts of the hospital complex did not lose power. Furthermore, some of the patients remained in the Draper Building.
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