All patients, workers and others who were stranded on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital amid historic flooding were rescued.
Ballad Health officials said patients who were affected were transferred to the Johnson City Medical Center, WJHL reported.
Personnel from Highlands Emergency Air Rescue & Transport (HEART) helicopter, Virginia State Police, the Tennessee National Guard and MedTrans were involved in the evacuation.
“Unfortunately, the water around the hospital...became extremely dangerous and impassable and prevented the boats from safely being able to evacuate the hospital..." according to a media release from Ballad Health.
Once the weather broke, helicopters were able to evacuate people.
Early on, hospital officials said they doubted the hospital will reopen.
“I think it’s a complete write-off. There’s no way the building’s gonna survive this. We’ll take a look at it once the water goes down, but it’s a shame; it’s a brand-new hospital. But you know what? It’s just a building. We can figure that out. I’m just thankful to God and everybody that our people are safe,” said Alan Levine, Ballad Health CEO.
Photos showed a fire truck and ambulances stranded in high water outside the hospital.
