Emergency Management Notifications & Updates

Current Hospital Status:  Business as usual.  All staff is expected to report to work.

Good News! The National Weather Service has updated their weekend weather forecast that suggests snowfall in/around the Midlands is becoming less and less likely.  While bitter cold and snow flurries are still a possibility, the ground temperature should make accumulation unlikely.

Please understand and remind your coworkers that Lexington Medical Center is expecting all staff to prepare for “business as usual” this weekend.  We do not anticipate needing to activate Incident Command or an employee pickup service.  Please plan to show up for your shift as normal so we can meet our commitments to our patients and their families.  Arriving on time and ready to work will also prevent managers from requiring staff to stay beyond their normal shift as they await their coworkers’ arrival.

Now, for all Managers, Directors and other members of our leadership team, this event creates an opportunity to review our Inclement Weather Plan.  Please review the Director responsibilities “Before Inclement Weather Plan is Activated” and “Upon Activation”. This policy can also be found on Lex-Loop/Policies/Emergency Management/Inclement Weather Plan.  Additionally, it may also be helpful if you share this policy with your staff as it gives them specific information and directions.

We will continue to monitor the National Weather Service forecast and provide updates accordingly.  A Disaster Alert/Incident Command activation will be based on accumulation, future forecasts, and current & predicted road conditions.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Incident Command (IC) has been closed.  Lexington Medical Center is now back operating as normal.

Public Safety is currently monitoring local weather conditions for possible flooding in the local area.  The hospital stands ready to serve the community as needed.  For personal preparations please ensure that you have your medications with you, cell phone with chargers and any additional items you may need.  As a safety reminder, please use extreme caution when driving through standing water as vehicles can quickly be overcome by flood waters.

We will keep you informed as conditions change.

Tropical Storm Erika dissipated over the weekend and is no longer a threat to the SC coastline.  We’re no longer monitoring this storm.

According to the 3PM conference call with the South Carolina Hospital Association, “Erika” is moving WNW at about 15 mph and is expected to hit South Florida sometime Monday morning.  It is expected to lessen in intensity before making landfall.  It appears that South Carolina will only receive rain.   DHEC has deactivated their Communication Center and it is not expected for coastal hospitals to receive an evacuation order from the Governor.

We will continue to monitor this storm over the weekend.

Public Safety is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Erika’s progress.  The SC Hospital Association will hold a 3:00 PM conference regarding this storms current track and the impact on South Carolina.  Public Safety will provide an update following the conference.

Our Emergency Preparedness Coordinator is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Erika’s projected weather track.  We will continue to monitor this storm and provide updates as necessary.

The Inclement Weather plan has been deactivated.  If you’ve exahuasted all options to find a ride home, please contact Incident Command (x2806) by 4:00 PM, Feburary 13th.

We’re still taking calls for employee pick-ups in the morning, but remember to contact your department director before contacting Incident Command.  Also, many roadways are still impassable throughout the Midlands area, but we will attempt to begin passenger pick-ups at 4:30 AM Thursday morning.  All drivers will contact employees prior to leaving LMC for pick-up.

Snow and ice mix has caused road conditions  to deteriorate as the morning continues.  We would recommend any employees coming into work today to bring overnight bags because roads could become impassable later on this afternoon and evening.  Again, be sure to check with department director for information regarding rides to work.