More than 50 hospital patients and staff were airlifted from the roof of Unicoi hospital in Erwin, Tennessee in a dramatic rescue operation after flash flooding overwhelmed the area. The storm effects of Hurricane Helene were being felt far and wide, prompting an urgent evacuation as the state emergency agency and national guard responded to the situation. The hospital chain Ballad Health received notice of the need to evacuate the hospital due to rising water from the Nolichucky River. Despite deploying ambulances, the flooding happened quickly, making it unsafe for them to approach the hospital. Boats were then deployed to help evacuate people, but the dangerous and impassable water prevented their use.
By afternoon, 54 people were stranded on the roof of the building awaiting rescue, while seven were in rescue boats. The hospital had been engulfed by dangerous and rapidly moving water, with high winds preventing helicopters from flying. Photos were being shared on social media showing the patients and staff on the roof of the building surrounded by water. Erwin’s police chief stated that no one had been injured in the flooding, although several patrol cruisers and ambulances were lost to the flood waters. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger informed that helicopters had arrived for evacuation, with US senator Bill Hagerty later confirming the successful rescue of everyone from the roof of the hospital.
The situation at Unicoi hospital was described as very dangerous by hospital officials as the flood waters rapidly rose around the building. The initial evacuation efforts were hindered by the fast-moving water preventing ambulances from safely reaching the hospital. Boats that were deployed to help evacuate people were also unable to access the area due to the dangerous conditions. The arrival of helicopters for evacuation was delayed due to high winds, further complicating the rescue operation. Despite the challenges, no injuries were reported among those rescued from the hospital.
The emergency evacuation at Unicoi hospital was prompted by the rising water from the nearby Nolichucky River as the effects of Hurricane Helene were felt in the region. The hospital chain Ballad Health received notification of the need to evacuate the hospital and quickly mobilized to respond to the situation. With the flooding happening so rapidly, the initial evacuation efforts via ambulances proved to be unsafe, leading to the deployment of boats for rescue operations. The dangerous and impassable water around the hospital made it difficult for rescue teams to reach those stranded, requiring the use of helicopters once conditions improved.
The successful rescue of more than 50 hospital patients and staff from the roof of Unicoi hospital in Erwin, Tennessee was confirmed by US senator Bill Hagerty. The patients and staff were airlifted from the building after being stranded due to flash flooding that overwhelmed the area. The rescue operation was complex and challenging due to the rapidly rising water and high winds that prevented helicopters from flying initially. The situation at the hospital was described as very dangerous by officials, who asked for prayers for those involved in the rescue efforts. Despite the difficulties, no injuries were reported among those evacuated from the hospital, highlighting the successful outcome of the operation.
