Anna Armstrong, Colin Atagi, Madison Smalstig
The Press Democrat
(TNS)
Rising floodwaters stranded about 150 people at Sutter Medical Center on Airway Drive in Santa Rosa, submerging vehicles in the parking lot and cutting off access, said Santa Rosa Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal.
“For the safety of patients and staff, we evacuated our care center due to extreme weather and flooding,” a Sutter spokesperson said. Patients were advised to contact their providers for updates on care.
Most people were able to leave as waters receded, but 21 remained inside just before 4 p.m., with full evacuation expected by 5 p.m., spokesperson Ashley Boarman said.
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High-clearance fire engines carried wheelchair-using patients back to paratransit vans staged outside, according to Lowenthal.
Floodwaters never breached the building and were contained to the parking lot, though access to nearby businesses, including the Hampton Inn & Suites, was also blocked. Services at the facility continued for those already inside, but afternoon appointments were canceled, said Jonathan Richards, operations executive for Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation.
The area, prone to flooding, experienced similar rescue efforts in the past. Heavy rains flooded the property in 2014 and 2016, forcing crews to pull stranded drivers from their vehicles.
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