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After two straight weekends of wild weather in Central Florida, which saw Walt Disney World and Universal Studios close down most of their outdoor rides and attractions, a potential tropical storm is expected to hit the state this weekend.
Credit: Becky Burkett
Related: Disney World Ceases Operations for the Second Straight Weekend
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which is expected to land in the state late this weekend or early next week.
With the pending storm and its aftermath, the state is also facing another critical issue that could become more prominent as the storm in the Gulf of Mexico gains strength.
Earlier this week, OneBlood, a non-profit blood supplier to 80 to 90 percent of the hospitals in Florida, was hit by a ransomware attack. The attack has caused a slowdown in OneBlood’s ability to take in new donations, bringing its supply down below 60 percent of its average rate.
Credit: Reedy Creek Fire Department
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OneBlood Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Susan Forbes said in a statement to Florida Politics:
We have implemented manual processes and procedures to remain operational. Manual processes take significantly longer to perform and impacts inventory availability. In an effort to further manage the blood supply we have asked the more than 250 hospitals we serve to activate their critical blood shortage protocols and to remain in that status for the time being.
Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew said the dwindling blood supply has hampered the hospitals’ ability to perform major surgeries, such as open heart surgery, transplants, and treatments for oncology patients.
However, the more significant issue is the unknown. With a major storm poised to hit the state this week and Florida already in a state of emergency, widespread injuries could occur, and the shortage in the blood supply could cause significant issues.
Credit: Inside The Magic
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The system, Invest 97L, dropped rain on Puerto Rico yesterday and battered Hispanola on Friday morning. Meteorologists have given it a 50 percent chance of developing in the next two days and an 80 percent chance in the next week.
Blood centers across the country have begun sending more supplies to OneBlood, and local hospitals are working to ration their supply to ensure that all necessary life-saving proceeds will continue.
OneBlood believes the ransomware attack came from Russia and is currently working on its network security. Anyone in Central Florida is encouraged to donate blood ahead of the storm.
What is your experience with ransomware attacks?
