The majority of the people stranded on a Tennessee hospital roof on Friday have been rescued, according to Michael Baker, alderman of Erwin, Tennessee. The town is located just over 40 miles north of Asheville, North Carolina, where the Unicoi County Hospital is situated.
Initially, 54 individuals, including patients, found themselves stranded on the hospital roof due to rapidly rising waters from Hurricane Helene, which made evacuation impossible on Friday morning. Ballad Health had issued a statement earlier regarding the situation.
Baker reported that there are now only 'a handful' of people left on the roof, with a continuous flow of helicopters aiding in their rescue and transportation to safe locations within the city. He mentioned that he believes most of those remaining on the roof are likely first responders.
Reflecting on the severity of the situation, Baker noted the dramatic change in the landscape within a short span of time. He described how the hospital surroundings, once obstructed by trees and structures, are now submerged underwater and carried downstream.
