Floods caused by Tropical Storm Helene forced over four dozen people to flee to the roof top of a hospital in East Tennessee where they subsequently became trapped for hours on Friday. Ambulances could not get to Unicoi County Hospital Friday morning because of flooded roads. Boat and helicopter rescues could not initially be conducted due to rapidly moving water and high winds.
Shortly after noon Friday, Ballad Health released a statement that 54 people were on the roof of the building and seven remained in rescue boats.
At 4:40 p.m. officials said everyone had been rescued from Unicoi County Hospital and no one remains at the facility. Affected patients were transferred to Johnson City Medical Center and their families have been notified.
The hospital remains closed until further notice.