As Hurricane Floyd approaches the U.S. coast, medical emergency teams practice for possible injuries VIDEO CNN's Holly Firfer looks at how mobile medical units prepare for disastrous situations Windows Media 28K 80K

September 13, 1999
Web posted at: 10:37 p.m. EDT (0237 GMT)

(CNN) -- "Potentially catastrophic" is how weather experts and emergency officials describe Hurricane Floyd's effect should it come ashore.

Floyd's fury could turn shattered glass, fallen coconuts and forgotten trash cans into lethal projectiles. Walls could fall, and roofs could be blown off. Cars and trucks could be picked up and slammed into homes.

After the storm passes, other dangers could await, such as sharp nails hiding in wreckage. And then there are the health threats from contaminated water supplies, disrupted communication systems and destroyed or damaged hospitals.

Should the situation reach the level of a federal disaster, some emergency medical teams are prepared to rush to the scene.

Watch this report to find out more about these life-saving volunteers.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.