Field observations: Disaster Medical Assistance Team response for Hurricane Charley, Punta Gorda, Florida, August 2004

The South Florida Disaster Medical Assistance Team was deployed to work with victims of Hurricane Charley in Charlotte County, Fla. Charlotte County was unique because of the higher than average number of elderly residents and the fact that all 4 local hospitals had been damaged. The Disaster Medical Assistance Team was required to modify their response, and the lessons learned from this experience are presented.