Flooding Strands Patients and Staff on Hospital Roof Amidst Hurricane Remnants

As remains of Hurricane Helene swept through Tennessee, significant flooding left patients and staff stranded atop Unicoi County Hospital on Friday. Virginia State Police conducted rescue operations, airlifting individuals to safety after floodwaters rendered roads impassable.

According to Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson, initially more than 50 individuals were trapped on the hospital’s roof. “It was a dire situation with all access roads underwater,” Tilson told News 5. Remarkable aerial footage from Virginia State Police showed the extent of flooding in the area.

As rescue efforts continued, it was reported that approximately 40 to 45 individuals were airlifted using two helicopters provided by Virginia State Police. Ballad Health, which manages the hospital, confirmed that patients in critical condition were transferred to Johnson City Medical Center.

By late afternoon, all personnel and patients had been evacuated, and the hospital remained closed for safety assessments by Ballad Health. “We are immensely grateful for the swift response from emergency services,” a spokesperson from Ballad Health mentioned, noting that the hospital would remain shut until floodwaters receded.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard were also actively involved in the complex rescue operation. An on-site SWAT team managed to secure essential medications during the rescue, ensuring patients’ medical needs were met throughout the ordeal.

Virginia State Police released dramatic video footage detailing the rescue, which underscored the severity of the flooding. Updates on the situation continue as emergency personnel evaluate the damage and the potential reopening of the hospital.