More than 50 people are stranded on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital, with the Tennessee National Guard helping to rescue them

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. – Patients and staff at Unicoi County Hospital are trapped on the roof due to flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.

According to a news report from WCYB in the Tri-Cities, they spoke with Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson, who said more than 50 people were trapped on the roof. According to Ballad Health, as of 12:27 p.m., 54 people were on the roof and 7 were still in lifeboats.

Due to flooding, all access roads to the hospital are impassable. Several patrol cars and ambulances were lost.

A SWAT team happened to be training and was able to save medication for the patients. Tilson said all patients and staff are safe at this time.

Ballad said the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard were involved in the rescue operation. The National Guard said it could use three helicopters for the rescue, taking off from McGhee Tyson Airport, and said crews would wait for a break in the weather to safely rescue people.

This story was originally reported by WCYB.