[Lessons learned from the evacuation of the VU University Medical Centre after flooding].

On 8 September 2015, flooding of the lower floors of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam caused serious damage to many vital technical services, such as water and power supplies. The decision was made to completely evacuate the university hospital. This paper describes the chronology and events of that day and shares a number of important lessons that were learned, in order to help readers to optimise crisis organisation in their own institutions. A serious situation or disaster can never be standardised in protocols or manuals; flexibility, improvisation and confidence in one another's expertise and commitment are therefore essential.