UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., cancelled elective surgeries and diverted ambulances Nov. 5 after a water main break, according to The News & Observer.
Hospital officials said their facilities received water shipments to handle patient cases where water was needed for hygienic purposes. In addition, bottled water was brought in for patients and staff.
Emergency medical service crews were alerted that the Chapel Hill facilities were on a "black diversion," meaning emergency patients were directed to other area hospitals.
This is the second time in two years a broken pipe has caused a major disruption to the Chapel Hill area.
UNC Medical Center expects to operate normally by mid-day Nov. 6.