ELDORADO, IL (WSIL) -- Parts of our region are still cleaning up after severe weather hit our area last week. bringing with it... tornadoes and flooding. One of the places impacted the most -- was Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado.
Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado remains closed days after heavy rains caused the drainage system to overflow and flood major parts of the hospital.
"After we had the water recede and we could take a look at things, we brought in a restoration company that specializes in this type of cleanup and this type of work," said Ferrell Hospital CEO Tony Keene.
Keene says the recommendations from the restoration company are clear.
"There's a significant amount of the hospital that's gonna have to be repaired because of the impact of the standing water," said Keene.
That means people who are hoping for a quick re-open of the hospital will have to wait a little while longer. Keene says, the deconstruction process will likely take two to three weeks and then, a reconstruction crew will come in and get to work.
"We're looking at probably a minimum of four weeks for this process, maybe as high as six weeks," said Keene.
Meanwhile, Ferrell Hospital is extending hours at several of its clinics, allowing healthcare providers to continue seeing patients.
"We have clinics in Carmi, McLeansboro, and Harrisburg in addition to another clinic here in Eldorado," said Keene. "So the physicians that were here on site, they've been dispersed to the other facilities and so they're seeing their patients in those facilities currently."
The most important thing for Keene is the fact there was not any significant disruption in care, and he credits the staff at the hospital for stepping up during this time.
"The staff has been amazing," said Keene.
Keene goes on to say, that when it's all said and done, safety and making sure the job is done right is their No. 1 goal.
"There are requirements, both from a federal and state standpoint in terms of the restoration that takes place," said Keene. "So we're following the guidelines that are appropriate for a healthcare facility to make sure that the cleanup is done appropriately."
