Generator failure forces evacuation of NYU medical

NEW YORK CITY (NBC) -- New York University Medical, one of the most respected teaching hospitals in New York City, found itself in crisis at the height of the storm.

Flooded with up to 12 feet of water, it lost power including its backup generator.

Dozens of ambulances from across the city lined up in front of and around the hospital to move more than 200 patients some adults and even babies in critical condition to other facilities.

Including Julia Alamany, who -- pregnant and in labor -- had to be carried down several flights of stairs.

“This couldn't get any worse what do we do where do we go she's having contractions.”

They took her off the bed got her on med sled and proceeded to slide her slowly down 8 flights of stairs, Julia Alamany and Doron Marcus were told they'd have to evacuate to Mount Sinai Medical Center four miles away.

Everyone was in the dark and Alamany was in severe pain.

“Just closing my eyes, breathing, having positive thoughts,” remembered Alamany.

“I was holding a cell phone above her while they were putting in the IV and while they were putting in the epidural,” said Marcus.

Hospital officials had discharged hundreds of patients last weekend in advance of the storm; officials are still investigating the cause of the generator failure.

All patients were safely transferred out. The hospital was still waiting to regain power as of Wednesday morning.