Flood of 2008

The Flood: Rising from a Disaster

On June 7, 2008, Columbus Regional Hospital experienced a disaster on a scale few other hospitals have survived – a flood of historic magnitude severely damaged the hospital, prompting the evacuation of 157 patients and forcing the hospital’s closure for the first time in 90 years. The flooding caused more than $180 million in damages and destroyed several critical functions, including laboratory, pharmacy, information services, food services and mechanical and electrical systems. 

That warm summer day, as well as the grueling months that followed are ingrained in the memories of many members of the Columbus Regional Health family who worked tirelessly to care for patients at area hospitals, serve at community centers, maintain communications with the community and help the city of Columbus and Columbus Regional Hospital recover and rebuild. A mobile emergency unit from North Carolina opened on the hospital campus two weeks after the flood to resume 24/7 emergency services to Columbus.  An interim Emergency Department was able to open within the hospital building six weeks later.

On October 27, 2008, less than five months after the flooding, Columbus Regional Hospital opened the doors to its new and improved facility and continued its commitment to excellence and serving the region. 

“Were it not for the teamwork, spirit and culture that is Columbus Regional, we would not have been able to open as quickly as we did,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Bickel. “Every facet of the process ran fervently. In some ways the flood was a dark time for this organization, but it was also a bright spot. It really showed peoples’ brilliance -- the brilliance and passion of our leadership in all areas from facilities to clinical quality, from marketing and community relations to philanthropy.”

The quick recovery and steady growth since then was made possible and continues today thanks to the support of the entire Columbus Regional Health staff, their families, hospitals across the state, Columbus Regional Health Foundation, architects, contractors, businesses, churches and the Columbus community.