More than fifty patients and healthcare workers were dramatically rescued after seeking shelter on the roof of a Tennessee hospital when a nearby river burst its banks.
Ambulances rushed to Unicoi County Hospital amid treacherous flooding from Hurricane Helene that left no time to escape.
Dozens of people were chased from inside the building and forced onto the roof in wind and rain as the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks.
Muddy brown waters quickly surrounded the structure built in 2018, with weather conditions so atrocious that rescue efforts became even more difficult.
More than fifty patients and their caregivers were dramatically rescued Friday after dozens sought shelter on the roof of a Tennessee hospital after a nearby river burst its banks.
54 people were rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Tennessee
Several ambulances, patrol cars and other emergency vehicles as the waters flooded the area
All access roads to the hospital were completely impassable due to flooding. Several patrol cars and ambulances have been lost.
A SWAT team was training at the time and was able to pick up medications for the patients.
The dramatic scene at the hospitals near the North Carolina border was one of several that unfolded across the southern United States in the wake of Helene.
Flooding caused by storm surge and torrential rains sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds of people were saved, but at least 40 died.
Unicoi County Hospital attempted to evacuate 11 patients and 43 other people Friday morning when the facility flooded, but the water was too dangerous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
The decision was then made to take everyone to the roof.
Ambulances rushed to the scene, but the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene was so severe that they were unable to reach the hospital, forcing patients and caregivers to climb to the roof.
Several emergency vehicles belonging to the hospital were lost due to flooding.
“The water there just rose faster with more debris than was safe to transport in the rafts from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s director of emergency operations.
After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital due to the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof.
Three National Guard helicopters with lift capabilities were en route, officials said.
“We ask everyone to pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on the scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, said on social media.
Helicopters were initially unable to assist in the rescue due to strong winds.
The nearby Nolichucky River overflowed with murky, brown waters that flooded the building.
All were rescued from the hospital at 4:15 pm and all affected patients were transported to Johnson City Medical Center.
Hurricane Helen left a massive trail of destruction in Florida and across the Southeastern United States, killing at least 40 people in four states, snapping trees like twigs, destroying homes, and sending rescue teams on desperate missions to save people from the floods.