King Tides and Coastal Flooding: Preparing Clinics and Patients in St. Pete
King Tides and Coastal Flooding: Preparing Clinics and Patients in St. Pete
St. Petersburg, Florida, is no stranger to the encroaching sea. King tides—those unusually high spring tides caused by the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun—are becoming more frequent and intense along the Gulf Coast. For physicians, the implications extend far beyond inconvenience: clinics, patient access, and emergency planning are all impacted.
Understanding the Risk
King tides aren’t storm surges; they’re predictable, recurring events. Yet, their effects can mimic flooding from tropical systems:
Street inundation limiting patient access.
Clinic facility vulnerability including basement utilities, parking areas, and entryways.
Interruption of critical services such as lab deliveries, medication shipments, and imaging.
Even without a hurricane, king tides can compromise operational continuity. In St. Pete, low-lying neighborhoods experience tidal flooding that can trap patients or staff, potentially delaying care during already high-demand periods.
Preparing Your Clinic
Physicians and practice managers can take proactive measures to reduce disruption:
Assess Vulnerable Infrastructure
Identify low-lying areas around your clinic that are prone to flooding. Consider temporary barriers, sandbags, or drainage improvements. Evaluate critical systems—power, EHR servers, oxygen tanks—and ensure backup plans are in place.Emergency Communication Plan
Maintain multiple channels (text, email, patient portal) for patient notifications about closures or delays. Designate staff responsible for monitoring tide forecasts from NOAA and local alerts.Stock Essential Supplies
Anticipate supply chain interruptions. Maintain extra stock of medications, PPE, IV fluids, and other critical materials to bridge short-term access gaps.Staff Contingency Planning
Determine which staff are essential on-site and which can telework during minor flooding events. Consider flexible scheduling or temporary relocation to higher-elevation sites for critical services.Patient Education
Encourage patients to plan ahead, especially those with mobility challenges, chronic conditions, or time-sensitive treatments. Provide guidance on safe travel routes during king tides and maintain telehealth capabilities when feasible.
Integrating Climate Awareness into Clinical Operations
King tides are a visible, predictable consequence of rising sea levels. Physicians in St. Pete are uniquely positioned to integrate climate considerations into practice planning:
Routine Risk Assessments: Include flood potential in facility audits and emergency drills.
Telehealth Optimization: Ensure virtual visits remain operational during minor flooding events.
Community Coordination: Collaborate with neighboring clinics, hospitals, and public health agencies for shared resources and patient routing during flooding episodes.
Key Takeaways for Clinicians
King tides are predictable yet disruptive; anticipate their timing and plan clinic operations accordingly.
Protect infrastructure, stock essential supplies, and maintain communication pathways with staff and patients.
Telehealth, patient education, and community coordination are essential tools to maintain continuity of care.
By incorporating these proactive strategies, St. Petersburg clinicians can mitigate the impact of king tides, ensuring patient safety and continuity of care even when the water rises.
