Hospital stocks supplies, won’t close as Dorian nears

Putnam Community Medical Center says it will remain open to serve residents no matter what the weather may throw at it.

Mark Dooley, Putnam Community’s CEO, said the hospital was working closely with county official in planning for Hurricane Dorian, a storm that has proven to be erratic.

“Because it has been so unpredictable, we are watching to see what happens,” Dooley said. “We are making all the preparations we can.”

The hospital has stocked up on fuel, supplies and food to last at least a week, Dooley said.

According to projections on Friday, the storm was likely to dump large amounts of rain on Putnam County and had the potential to lash the area with high-speed winds.

“There’s not a lot you can do about the water,” Dooley said. “But for the wind, we’re making sure everything is secured.”

The hospital, Dooley said, was committed to staying open to serve the public no matter the situation. When Hurricane Michael hit Bay County in 2018, Putnam Community Medical Center’s sister hospital in Panama City sustained a direct hit.

Despite that, the hospital’s emergency room stayed open to the public, Dooley said.

“The hospital building is designed to withstand severe weather,” he said.