The TGH Davis Islands campus is home to the Tampa Bay region's only Level I Trauma Center and must remain operational before, during and after a storm. To ensure safety and continuity of care, the campus is equipped with a range of protective systems and resources, including:
Access to the Hospital
TGH prioritizes safe and reliable access for patients, staff, and emergency responders during severe weather events. Our team monitors conditions in real time and implements traffic control measures, shuttle services, and designated entry points to ensure uninterrupted care. Whether you’re arriving for treatment or reporting for duty, we work to keep routes clear and accessible throughout the storm.
AquaFence
- Water-impermeable barrier that protects vulnerable areas of the campus against storm surge and flooding
- Built to withstand storm surge up to 15 feet above sea level
- Installation requires a team of 60 people and three days to install
Campus Protection
Protecting our hospital campus is critical to maintaining operations during a storm. TGH employs advanced flood barriers, reinforced infrastructure, and continuous monitoring systems to safeguard buildings and essential utilities. Our facilities team works around the clock to secure equipment, manage water intrusion, and maintain power so patient care never stops.
Central Energy Plant
- 16,000-square-foot plant is located 33 feet above sea level, providing a reliable, protected power supply to TGH Davis Islands in the event of a power disruption
- Three 20,000-gallon submersible diesel fuel tanks can provide full power for 96 hours and are built to withstand the impact and flooding of a Category 5 hurricane
- Three electrical transmission lines and one natural gas line are located beneath the Garrison Channel, connecting the Davis Islands campus to the Tampa Convention Center, with lines encased in concrete for added protection
Central Tampa Warehouse
Our Central Tampa Warehouse serves as a vital hub for storm readiness. Stocked with emergency supplies, medical equipment, and backup resources, it ensures that TGH can respond quickly to any disruption. This centralized approach allows us to maintain supply chain continuity and deliver critical materials to our hospital and partner sites when they’re needed most.
Community Partnerships
TGH collaborates with local agencies, first responders, and community organizations to strengthen storm preparedness across the region. These partnerships enable coordinated evacuation plans, resource sharing, and rapid response efforts. By working together, we help protect lives and maintain essential healthcare services during severe weather events.
Emergency Wells
- 5,000-plus gallon well available if water service is disrupted to support patients and staff
Fuel
- 25,000 gallons of fuel per day to support emergency operations and staff vehicles
Sterile Processing
- Sterilization of surgical instruments is relocated to a secure, off-site facility outside of the flood plain to ensure surgical services can continue safely and efficiently
Supplies Stocked
- 5-plus days of supplies on-site, including food and linens, to support patient care and team members
- Medical supplies and blood products stocked in advance of a storm
Taneja Surgical, Neuroscience & Transplant Tower Work Site (opening 2027) Secured
- Construction equipment and debris are removed from the site, and crane lowered
- The tower, which consists of a plaza level and 12 floors, is being constructed to meet hurricane building code, and with elevation above the flood plain
- Tower will be powered by its own generator in the event of severe weather, ensuring access to safe and reliable electricity
Team Preparation
- The clinical and non-clinical teams at Tampa General Hospital engage in emergency management training with partners in government and across the community several times throughout the year to plan for and practice response to severe weather events. Emergency partners include:
- City of Tampa Emergency Operations Group
- Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Group
- Hillsborough County Emergency Medical Planning Council (EMPC)
- Hillsborough County Healthcare Coalition (HCHC)
- Tampa Bay Health and Medical Preparedness Coalition
- Florida Hospital Association Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force
- Florida Hospital Association Emergency Medical Council
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- Through its incident command center, TGH activates the emergency response plan to enable and support continued operations, while keeping patients, physicians and team members safe.
