Five Days at Memorial season 1 episode 1 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

Hurricane Katrina escalates to a Category 5, threatening Gulf Coast communities. At Memorial Medical Center, 45 people die under harsh conditions post-hurricane. The hospital, housing an additional 1,200 people for shelter, struggles with the lack of an evacuation plan amid severe flooding. The basement floods, endangering supplies and backup generators. Staff scramble to move patients and resources to safer floors, but the situation worsens as ICU windows break and water rises, highlighting the acute danger to immobile patients.

Full Episode S01E01 Recap

### Hurricane Katrina Approaches - News reports describe Hurricane Katrina escalating to a Category 5 hurricane, posing significant danger to Gulf Coast communities. - Dr. Baltz, from Memorial Medical Center, recounts the aftermath of the hurricane: 45 people died at the hospital under dire conditions. ### Preparations at the Hospital - Memorial Hospital and Life Care, a long-term care facility, house 1,200 extra people for shelter, including staff, patients, and community members. - The staff discusses sheltering protocols and prepares for potential power outages and flooding. Concerns about the hospital's ability to withstand the hurricane grow. ### Evacuation Concerns and Initial Impact - As Katrina hits, power lines go down, and communication becomes difficult. - Diane Robichaux, Life Care administrator, raises concerns about water leaking from the ceiling. - The staff discusses the lack of an evacuation plan in case of severe flooding. ### Crisis Escalates - The basement floods, jeopardizing food supplies and backup generators. - Susan Mulderick, incident commander, orders the evacuation of certain areas within the hospital. - ICU faces dire conditions with windows breaking and water rising, posing a grave threat to patients who cannot be moved. ### The Struggle to Cope - The hospital staff scrambles to move patients and resources to safer floors. - The community within the hospital, including patients and their families, faces the reality of the severe conditions. - Prayers and calls for divine protection are made as the situation worsens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What category did Hurricane Katrina reach as it approached the Gulf Coast?

Hurricane Katrina escalated to a Category 5 hurricane.

How many people died at Memorial Medical Center after Hurricane Katrina?

There were 45 deaths at Memorial Medical Center following Hurricane Katrina.

Were there two hospitals in the same building during Hurricane Katrina?

Yes, Memorial Hospital and Life Care, a long-term care facility, were in the same building.

Did the hospital have an evacuation plan for severe flooding?

No, there was no plan for evacuating the hospital in case of severe flooding.

What was the immediate concern when the hurricane hit?

The immediate concerns were power outages, flooding, and the safety of the patients and sheltered individuals.

Who was the incident commander at the hospital during Hurricane Katrina?

Susan Mulderick was the incident commander during the storm.

What problems arose due to flooding in the hospital?

Flooding endangered food supplies, backup generators, and led to critical issues in patient care areas like the ICU.

Was the emergency room able to move its patients during the flood?

No, the emergency room patients could not be moved due to the flooding.

How did the hospital staff respond to the crisis?

The staff worked to move patients and resources to higher floors and attempted to manage the situation amidst rising water and failing systems.

Were there any special measures taken for patients who couldn't be moved?

The staff did their best to secure and care for patients who couldn't be moved, but the situation was increasingly dire.

Five Days at Memorial season 1 episode 1

Day One