Helicopters Airlift Stranded People From Roof of Tennessee Hospital as Floodwaters Rage

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Dozens of hospital staff and patients were rescued from Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, on Friday, September 27, after major flooding caused by Tropical Depression Helene inundated the building.

Footage filmed by local resident Trey Moore shows helicopters landing on the roof of the hospital, surrounded by raging floodwaters from the overflowing Nolichucky River.

The hospital received notice to evacuate at 9:38 am and readied 11 patients to leave, but “the flooding of the property happened so quickly, the ambulances could not safely approach the hospital,” the hospital’s operator Ballad Health said.

With waters around the hospital deemed too dangerous for boats, at least 58 people were left stranded on the roof of the hospital, police said.

Over several hours, rescuers from Tennessee and Virginia airlifted patients and staffers out.

Ballad Health said patients were transported to Johnson City Medical Center. Credit: Trey Moore via Storyful

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