PUNTA GORDA — Hurricane Milton’s flooding and winds blew in the front door of ShorePoint Hospital in Punta Gorda and blasted out the back door.
The hospital at 713 E. Marion Ave. remains closed.
Prior to the storm, patients were evacuated to ShorePoint Hospital in Port Charlotte.
It turned out to be the right move.
“We received way more water in Milton than we did in Hurricane Helene,” said John White, hospital spokesperson. “The damage is sizable. The emergency room, MRI and radiology are all on the first floor. There is serious work being done to get it reopened.”
White said the hospital and the medical doctor’s office building in front of the hospital were damaged. The medical office building may reopen next week. Electrical work is underway to get power, communications and elevator service restored.
According to Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews, the flooding brought by Hurricane Milton was different. She said the salt water was dirty and created a huge “unbelievable” mess in Punta Gorda.