Hurricane Milton via satellite on Wednesday. Source: NOAA/NESDISSTAR GOES-EastMilton—the second hurricane in as many weeks—ripped through America’s southeast, causing severe flooding, washing away bridges, knocking out power and water supply.
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Hurricane Helene had an unprecedented impact on all aspects of cancer care, including a nationwide IV fluid shortage caused by destruction of bridges to Asheville’s Baxter factory.
Ivan Borrello, medical director of the Myeloma, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapies Program at Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute, watched as flood waters from Hurricane Helene heaved against a contraption called the AquaFence, which is, as the name suggests, a water-impermeable barrier made of marine-grade laminate and various metals that can withstand storm surges of up to 15 feet above sea level.
More than a month has passed since Hurricane Helene took out Baxter North Cove plant, which manufactured 1.5 million IV fluid bags per day, supplying 60% of the intravenous solutions nationwide.Â
