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Governors in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia declared states of emergency, ordered mass evacuations of coastal areas and called in thousands of National Guard members. President Barack Obama declared a federal state of emergency in both Florida and South Carolina on Thursday, directing aid to those states. Eight hospitals in Florida evacuated this week because of their coastal locations, while inland hospitals prepared to face the storm, stocking up on supplies and coordinating staff to quickly respond once the Category 4 hurricane hits. (Rubenfire and Livingston, 10/6)

Florida hospitals prepared Thursday to get hit by the monster storm Matthew, with many facilities altering their normal operations, and a number of facilities closing and evacuating patients. Jackson Health System, a major hospital operator in the Miami area, said it "will continue normal operators at all Jackson facilities, with the exception of its primary care clinics, the ambulatory care centers and rehab outpatient clinic, which will all be closed Thursday and Friday." (Mangan, 10/6)