King’s Daughters Medical Center’s emergency room will be open for emergencies during Hurricane Ida.

While prepping for the storm, residents need to keep in mind the constant reality of COVID-19, especially if they need to go to the emergency room.

“Wear a mask. Practice social distancing,” said KDMC spokesman David Culpepper.

Culpepper also stressed getting the vaccine to “protect yourself and others.”

KDMC has emergency generators and should be able to continue to provide medical help even if the storm causes power outages.

Ambulances will not be able to travel if sustained winds reach 45 mph or higher, Culpepper said. According to the National Weather Center, a slight chance for winds of this speed exists in the Southwest Mississippi area until midnight Monday.