Preparation, experience, and aftermath of hurricane Floyd.

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd threatened the southeastern coast of the United States, causing the largest peacetime evacuation in history. The hurricane moved onto land when it curved northward and slammed into southeastern North Carolina near Wilmington and Cape Fear. This region already had experienced three hurricanes in recent years and had been brushed by Hurricane Dennis one month earlier. This article describes actions taken by the New Hanover Regional Medical Center surgical services department in Wilmington, NC, to prepare for and weather the storm. The aftermath and cleanup also are discussed.