Tennessee National Guard Helps Rescue Patients and Staff Stranded on Hospital Roof by Hurricane Helene

Stars and Stripes

The Tennessee National Guard helped rescue more than 50 patients and staff stranded on the rooftop of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee on Friday because of severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

Fifteen Tennessee National Guard troops assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Knoxville departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson with UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to conduct a joint rescue mission with the Virginia State Police. At 3:08 p.m. CDT, all stranded patients and staff members were rescued and transported to a local high school.

Four light tactical vehicles with the Tennessee Guard also departed from Johnson City and Unicoi County to traverse flooded areas and assist in water rescue operations.