Metro

NYU back in operation

NYU Langone Medical Center — which was forced to close and evacuate hundreds of patients during Hurricane Sandy — is back in business.

The hospital scheduled 55 surgeries yesterday as it partially reopened its inpatient facilities.

When water overflowed the East River and knocked out power to the hospital on Oct. 29, it was forced to evacuate 322 patients, including 20 intensivecare babies, in the dark, over 13 hours.

“Unfortunately, when you have 15 million gallons of water in your basement and subbasement, there’s little you can do,” said Dr. Robert Grossman, dean and CEO of NYU Langone.

Initial estimates said it would take a year or two for the hospital to reopen even partially. “This is a red letter day for New York City because it shows we will come back,” Schumer said.

The emergency room remains shut, but a temporary urgent-care center for walk-in patients is expected to open in a few weeks. Maternity, pediatric and other services are due to reopen on Jan. 14.