As Hurricane Helene approached western North Carolina, Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, didn’t anticipate the storm would disrupt practice operations for more than a day or so.
But the massive rainfall and flooding damage last September proved to be far more challenging. Despite best efforts by the 13-physician practice, basic treatments for most patients were interrupted for about a week.
Flooding washed out some of the major roads leading to the main Asheville clinic and affiliated rural sites, limiting travel and slowing delivery of medications, intravenous (IV) fluids, and other supplies, Palmeri said. Some patients and employees weren’t initially reachable due to the loss of the internet and cell phone service. The storm-related fallout even forced patients to relocate…