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A dangerous and complex rescue operation unfolded at Unicoi Hospital in Eastern Tennessee. On Friday 61 patients and staff were stranded for hours on the hospital's rooftop due to severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

 The rising waters of the Nolichucky River engulfed the first floor of the hospital, leaving no option but to move patients and personnel to the roof as rescue units battled high winds and hazardous conditions.

Rescue Operation Underway

Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency issued an urgent evacuation notice to Ballad Health, prompting immediate action. 

Ballad Health’s Chief Medical Officer for the region arrived on the scene to oversee the rescue efforts, while communication with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) began to coordinate the evacuation.

Ballad Health posted updates on the situation via X, stating, “At 9:38 am on Friday, September 27, Ballad Health received notice from the Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency of a need to evacuate Unicoi County Hospital due to unusually high and rising water from the Nolichucky River.”

The rescue involved local emergency services, Virginia State Police aviation units, and National Guard resources. Although rescue boats were deployed, the flooding and high winds made it extremely difficult to access the hospital safely. And for hours, helicopters could not be utilized due to unsafe flying conditions.

A Dangerous Mission

The five-hour rescue was conducted under treacherous conditions. Initially, 54 people sheltered in place on the rooftop while seven were transported via rescue boats.

 By 5 p.m., all patients and staff were safely evacuated from Unicoi Hospital.

Ballad Health Chairman Alan Levine communicated directly with TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan, who provided vital resources. Despite efforts to use ambulances, the flooding worsened rapidly, preventing the vehicles from reaching the hospital.

Unicoi Hospital Status

All patients needing medical attention were transported to Johnson City Medical Center. Unicoi Hospital remains closed until further notice, and Ballad Health will assess the damage once floodwaters recede. Local roads accessing the hospital have also become impassable, according to reports from WJHL and WCYB.

As the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene continued to lash the Southeastern U.S., the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for the region, including the town of Erwin, Tennessee, which was under flood and high wind warnings.