Helicopters involved in the rescue operation of numerous individuals trapped on a hospital roof amidst Tennessee's flood brought on by Hurricane Helene.
Majority of the individuals stranded on Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, have been airlifted by helicopters, as per Michael Baker, Erwin's city representative. However, a few individuals remain on the roof, awaiting rescue, Baker informed CNN mid-afternoon on Friday.
"We've had an unceasing flow of helicopters retrieving them and relocating them to safe spots within the city," Baker explained.
Ballad Health, overseeing Unicoi, was alerted about the hospital's need for evacuation around 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday, according to the healthcare organization's post on X. However, owing to flooding and gusty winds caused by the lethal storm, ambulances and helicopters were unable to access the building safely.
Located around 100 miles east of Knoxville, Erwin lies in the southern Appalachian Mountains, almost touching Tennessee's border with North Carolina.
A sum of 54 individuals were transferred to the roof, and an additional 7 were positioned in rescue boats, as reported by Ballad Health. Including 11 patients, the total count was shared in an official announcement.
Unicoi County Hospital has apparently been submerged by extremely risky and rapidly advancing water, as per the statement on X. Due to the swiftness with which the water was rising around and inside the hospital, rescue boats were also unable to evacuate individuals securely.
Ballad Health stated that the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard are actively engaged in a perilous rescue operation.
Baker had earlier mentioned that several helicopters were making an effort to airlift hospital patients and staff from the roof.
"There's a helicopter atop the hospital, and we've got another hovering nearby to commence rotating operations to extract everyone, but this is a joint effort," Baker informed CNN.
"The water surged up so rapidly, I practically looked at the owner and said, 'We've got to leave this place,'" Baker explained. "This is a grave situation ... I haven't received any reports of any casualties, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is a life-threatening situation."
Unicoi County Hospital operates as a nonprofit, accommodating 10 beds, as per its official website.
At least 25 fatalities have been recorded during the storm, which induced flash flooding across the Southeast after hitting Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. Now downgraded to a tropical depression, the storm has left numerous customers without power, destroyed houses, and initiated road closures.
As of mid-afternoon on Friday, about 1.1 million individuals are under at least sixteen distinct flash flood emergencies, the highest level of flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service, intended for catastrophic flooding posing a severe risk to human life.
We're closely monitoring the ongoing situation and hoping for the safety of our fellow citizens still stranded on the hospital roof. (us)
The rescue operation involves multiple agencies, including helicopters, ambulances, and even the National Guard, with our efforts focused on ensuring the safety of us all. (us)
