54 People Rescued from Roof of Hospital After Hurricane Helene

At least 54 people were trapped on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Tennessee on Friday after floodwaters from Hurricane Helene surrounded the facility, making evacuation impossible. Thankfully, all were rescued safely, according to a statement from Senator Bill Hagerty.

The hospital, located near the North Carolina border in northeastern Tennessee, was quickly overwhelmed by floodwaters, forcing staff and patients to seek refuge on the roof. Rescue boats were deployed for seven additional people outside the hospital. The Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) were leading what Ballad Health, the hospital’s parent company, described as a “dangerous rescue operation.”

Alan Levine, CEO of Ballad Health, praised the swift response: “The most important thing is the safety of our employees and patients. Thanks to the collaboration between Tennessee and Virginia, all have been rescued safely.”

Representative Diana Harshbarger confirmed via social media that helicopters had arrived to assist with the rooftop evacuation. Earlier in the day, TEMA had coordinated rescue boats after the Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency called for immediate evacuation. However, floodwaters rose so fast that ambulances could no longer reach the hospital, and high winds initially grounded rescue helicopters.

Ballad Health emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the floodwaters made the area “extremely dangerous and impassable,” hindering the evacuation efforts. Despite these challenges, the joint efforts of local authorities, military personnel, and first responders ensured that everyone was brought to safety.

“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on the scene, and the military leaders working tirelessly to ensure safety,” Ballad Health said in a statement, thanking local officials for their support during the crisis.

Rescue operations are continuing across the region as Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters impact northeastern Tennessee, and authorities are urging residents to stay safe and heed evacuation orders.