UPDATE: Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital to Be Evacuated Ahead of Impacts of Hurricane Milton

Patients will be transported to other Health First Hospitals

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital will be evacuated ahead of the wind and storm surge impacts of Hurricane Milton, expected to arrive in Brevard County Wednesday evening, and then last through Thursday evening.

“In advance of Hurricane Milton’s potential impact on Brevard County, Health First has made the decision to temporarily close Cape Canaveral Hospital for the safety and security of our associates and patients,” said Health First spokesman Lance Skelly.

“Health First’s priority is keeping our patients and associates safe and secure during the forecasted impacts of Hurricane Milton. Our leaders have been closely monitoring the storm and are in frequent communication with local and state emergency officials.”

Cape Canaveral Hospital is a 150-bed hospital on the Cocoa Beach Causeway, situated on, and surrounded on three sides by, the Banana River.

Current tracking forecasts Hurricane Milton to cross Brevard County as a strong Category 1 or Category 2 storm, with significant rainfall and potential storm surge impacting the areas surrounding Cape Canaveral Hospital.

Preparations are now being made to secure the facility.

As residents and businesses, including Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital, prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton, it’s crucial to have emergency essentials like food, medical supplies, and clean drinking water ready. For those looking to ensure access to safe drinking water during such events, consider this comprehensive Hurricane Survival Kit for Pure Water, which includes portable water filtration solutions designed for emergency use.

“To ensure the safety of our patients and associates, we have made the decision to evacuate Cape Canaveral Hospital on the evening of Tuesday, October 8,” said Skelly.

“Patients will be transferred to our other hospitals – Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, and Veria Hospital – to ensure their safety and continuity of care.”

Skelly said once the storm has passed, teams will inspect the site for any damage. Once it is cleared for safety, we will begin accepting new patients.

Cape Canaveral Hospital will not be open during the storm.

“We advise Brevard residents to heed the warnings provided by Emergency Management Officials,” said Skelly. “Individuals needing emergency care are encouraged to visit another Health First or surrounding hospital or call 911 for assistance.”

Patients will be transported to Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Health First’s Palm Pay Hospital and Health First’s Viera Hospital, along with other Space Coast area hospitals.

A Storm Surge Watch is now in effect for the Brevard Barrier Islands south of Port Canaveral, including Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach and Melbourne Beach.

A Hurricane Warning is also now in effect for the Space Coast – a Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within Space Coast within the next 36 hours.

Brevard County will open three shelters at 9 a.m. Wednesday

Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to the shelters for those with special needs, and to request transportation, call 2-1-1 Hotline.

Brevard County will open three shelters at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, for residents who live in manufactured or mobile homes, flood-prone or low-lying areas, or those needing safe harbor from potentially dangerous wind and rain conditions anticipated from Hurricane Milton, which is expected to begin impacting the county sometime late Wednesday and continuing throughout the day Thursday.

A Hurricane Warning is now in efffect for Brevard County – a Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within Space Coast within the next 36 hours.

Shelters that will be available for general population and families wishing to bring their pets includes:

■ South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Avenue, Micco, FL 32976
■ Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Boulevard, Cocoa, FL 32927
■ Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne, FL 32935

Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to the shelters for those with special needs, and to request transportation, call 2-1-1 Hotline.

Residents going to shelters will need to take their own supplies, including bedding, folding chairs, or sleeping bags; any needed medications; multiple changes of clothing and and sturdy shoes; personal hygiene items; and entertainment items, like games, cards, books or magazines.

• Bring your own pillows, sheets, blankets, portable cot or air mattress, chaise lounge, folding chairs or sleeping bags.

• Cots or beds are not provided

• If you are on a special diet, bring a supply of nonperishable food that will be sufficient for 3 days per person.

• All required medications and medical support equipment:

• Wheelchair/walker, oxygen, dressings, feeding and suction equipment, diapers, etc.

• Any specific medications or care instructions ( 2-week supply)

• Personal hygiene items, like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, towels, brush/comb, dentures, glasses, eye drops, diapers, etc.

• Entertainment items, like games, cards, books, magazines, etc.

For more information about this and other Hurricane Milton questions, call the Community Information Hotline at 2-1-1.

WATCH: Live Hurricane Milton update and information with Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Emergency Management Director John Scott.

Sandbag Sites open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8:

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In anticipation of the potential impacts from Hurricane Milton, Brevard County will offer free sandbags for residents beginning 8 a.m. Tuesday.

■ Chain of Lakes Park, 2300 Truman Scarborough Way, Titusville, FL 32796.
■ Mitch Ellington Park, 577 Hall Road, Merritt Island, FL, 32953. Enter from West Hall Road.
■ Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Dr., Melbourne, FL 32935. Enter using south access from Parkway Dr.
■ Eastern Florida State College-Palm Bay Campus, 250 Community College Parkway SE Palm Bay, 32909

Sand is being provided by Brevard County Public Works and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office will have supervised inmate work crews filling and loading sandbags for residents.

Residents do not need to bring sandbags, bags are provided and filled by on-site personnel. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Please be aware, lines may be closed earlier than 6 p.m. to ensure a timely closure.

WATCH: Update from sandbag distribution location at Eastern Florida State College’s Palm Bay campus in preparation for Hurricane Milton.

WATCH: Space Coast Daily’s Zach Clark is live from Mitchell Ellington Park in Merritt Island as Brevard Public Works Provides Free Sandbags Today in preparation of Hurricane Milton.

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