Panhandle Blood banks prepare for Hurricane Michael

As Hurricane Michael approaches, the state’s main blood bank on Monday urged all eligible donors to give blood now — before it has to suspend operations in the Florida Panhandle.

As Hurricane Michael approaches, the state’s main blood bank on Monday urged all eligible donors to give blood now — before it has to suspend operations in the Florida Panhandle.

OneBlood, the local notfor-profit blood center serving Florida and the majority of the Southeast, plans to temporarily shutter its operations in the projected path of the storm beginning Tuesday. Initially it will close donor centers and mobile operations in Panama City, Ft. Walton, Crestview and Marianna. On Wednesday, it also will suspend operations in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Thomasville and Douglas, Georgia.

OneBlood anticipates resuming operations in the Panhandle on Thursday.

The agency is appealing to all eligible blood donors living outside the hurricane’s path to donate as soon as possible to ensure a sufficient supply during and after the storm. All blood types — as well as platelet donations — are needed.

Hurricanes have the potential to disrupt the blood supply for several days, the agency noted. Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. For more information and a list of OneBlood locations, go to oneblood.org.

ksantich@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5503, @katesantich. Please consider supporting local journalism by purchasing a digital subscription to the Orlando Sentinel.