Hurricane Helene Now Impacting Minnesota Medical Facilities

Hurricane Helene made landfall in my home state of North Carolina on Friday September 27th. The Western part of North Carolina (surrounding Asheville and Boone), Upstate South Carolina, parts of Georgia and Florida were all impacted. 

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Where I grew up in the Western section of North Carolina has had hurricanes roll through the area in the past, but nothing like what Helene produced.  

I know from friends and family living in that area, what we’ve seen on TV doesn’t even begin to bring to light the devastation there. 

Many businesses had to close temporarily, if they’ve even re-opened at all. But one facility not being able to operate at full strength is now affecting the rest of the country including Minnesota.  

Baxter International’s North Cove plant in McDowell County N.C. produces 60% of the saline and IV bags in the United States and now there is a shortage of saline in the country because the plant was shut down for several weeks and is operating now on a limited basis.  

The shortage has gotten to the point that hospitals around the country are postponing elective surgeries, and plasma donation centers are having to alter the way they process their patients. 

I am a client at Biolife in St. Cloud, and I received an email Sunday night stating that they would be giving patients electrolyte beverages and snacks prior to their donation and an electrolyte beverage after they donate to take the place of the saline they would normally get. 

When I donated on Monday, this news didn’t seem to deter people, as Biolife was as busy as they normally are.  

I have family and friends who work for Baxter in North Carolina, and they are just now getting lines working again as they cleanup of the building and property is being completed.  

The North Cove plant in North Carolina is a primary employer for residents of 7 or 8 counties in Western North Carolina, and many of the workers are still trying to get their living situations stabilized as the winter weather approaches. 

Baxter has said to hope to have at least 90% of their product lines up and running by the end of the year. Some media outlets are guessing that elective surgeries could be re-established sometime in early 2025.