Here is a story that will  give you nightmares: Behind a Call That Kept Nursing Home Patients in Storm’s Path; NYT, Dec. 2, 2012.  During Hurricane Sandy, the Mayor of NYC decided not to order an evacuation of nursing homes. Here are some details about the outcome of that decision:

The recommendation that thousands of elderly, disabled and mentally ill residents remain in more than 40 nursing homes and adult homes in flood-prone areas of New York City had calamitous consequences.At least 29 facilities in Queens and Brooklyn were severely flooded. Generators failed or were absent. Buildings were plunged into a cold, wet darkness, with no access to power, water, heat and food.

While no immediate deaths were reported, it took at least three days for the Fire Department, the National Guard and ambulance crews from around the country to rescue over 4,000 nursing home and 1,500 adult home residents. Without working elevators, many had to be carried down slippery stairwells.