Story highlights As storm nears, hospitals in Florida's southernmost county are evacuating patients

Hospitals also see an uptick in hurricane-prep injuries

(CNN) With many South Florida residents fleeing their homes before Hurricane Irma, hospitals in Florida's southernmost county have put their own evacuation plans into motion.

The three hospitals in Monroe County, which includes the Keys, are in the process of shutting their doors ahead of Irma's expected Sunday arrival. The county has also ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents.

The Lower Keys Medical Center evacuated its remaining 11 patients Wednesday night in the North Carolina National Guard's C-130 aircraft, according to hospital spokeswoman Lynn Corbett-Winn. The patients were transported to Gadsden Regional Medical Center in Alabama. The hospital will close its emergency department at 7 a.m. Friday

Eleven patients from the Lower Keys Medical Center were evacuated to Gadsden, Alabama, in a North Carolina National Guard aircraft.

The other two hospitals in Monroe County, Fishermen's Hospital and Mariners Hospital, have been discharging patients who are able to go home and evacuate. Those who need to stay hospitalized have been largely transported by ground to other hospitals in the Baptist Health system, according to Wayne Brackin, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Health South Florida.

Fishermen's formally closed at 7 a.m. Thursday, and Mariners will do so at 7 p.m.

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