After nearly four hours of being stranded on a hospital roof in Tennessee, 54 patients and staff members have been safely rescued, according to Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
“Everyone has been rescued safely from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin,” Hagerty posted on X. “More trouble on the horizon for East Tennessee communities. Please stay safe and thank you for your prayers!”
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Helene caused the roads surrounding the Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, to flood, leading staff members and patients to take shelter on the roof for hours on Friday afternoon. Seven people were secured in rescue boats, and four others were rescued by a helicopter, according to WCYB.
SWAT teams were also reportedly able to salvage some patient medications.
All roads leading to the hospital were flooded. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard led the rescue operation.
Helene is projected to bring historic flooding to eastern Tennessee.
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Helene made landfall Thursday evening as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida, and it has spread to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
At least 36 people have been killed and millions are without power due to the storm.
