Florida Still Needs Volunteer Nurses to Help at Hurricane Irma Shelters

As the state of Florida is bracing itself for the potentially devastating impact that Hurricane Irma could bring, Governor Rick Scott has issued a last-minute plea for professional nurses who are willing to ride out the storm at one of the many shelters that have been set up in order to assist those with special medical needs.

“Look, it’s getting late,” Scott said early Saturday morning while giving the Today Show an update on the state’s preparations ahead of Irma’s arrival. “If you’re not on the road on the west coast by noon, you need to get to a shelter, get to a friend’s house if you’re in an evacuation zone. Get off the road.” But as of 12:30 p.m. today, many of those shelters are still in need of nursing assistance.

Approximately 5.6 million Floridians—or more than a quarter of the state’s population—have been told to evacuate their homes before the massive storm, which is estimated to be about 400 miles wide, makes landfall in the U.S. later this weekend. Medical professionals who are in the area and are able to offer their services can email HelpFL@FLhealth.gov.