FEMA to cover most of Americus hospital rebuilding

Wrecking crews demolishing Sumter Regional Hospital earlier this year. The facility was severely damaged by a twister that tore through Americus on March 1, 2007. (Dave Bender/file photo)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)has approved 75 percent of a $7.4 million dollar bill for rebuilding Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, ravaged by a tornado in 2007.

The $5.5 million FEMA aid will help equip several departments, including operating rooms and cardiac care.

State and local funding is expected to cover the remainder of the cost, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.

The hospital served as the primary care facility for seven counties until it was destroyed when a twister that ripped through Americus on March first of last year.

Meanwhile, patients are using temporary facilities nearby, that opened on April 1.

Two of a series of COGIM units set up in the hospital's parking lot, which serve patients in the interim, until a permanent facility is built. (Dave Bender/file photo)

Hospital officials say they hope to break ground on a permanent structure in early 2009.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the twister's damage to SRH and Americus.