Dozens of patients and hospital staff stranded on the rooftop of an Eastern Tennessee hospital were whisked away aboard rescue helicopters and boats as floodwaters threatened to swallow the building. The rescue mission at the Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, came early Friday evening, hours after Ballad Health sent out a desperate cry on X that the people at the hospital needed to be evacuated in the face of rising floodwaters from Tropical Storm Helene. Floodwaters and high winds from the storm prevented ambulances, rescue boats and even helicopters from reaching the hospital, Ballad said, making a rescue mission impossible for hours. Ballad Health confirmed that by around 5 p.m. all 54 people stuck on the roof had been rescued. Those needing treatment were taken to Johnson City Medical Center. Unicoi hospital remains closed until further notice. Ballad Health will assess the damage once flood waters recede and provide updates at that time, according to the statement. The operation came around 8 hours after Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency first warned Ballad about the rising waters. The water lies at the banks of the Nolichucky River near the North Carolina border. "The hospital has been engulfed by extremely dangerous and rapidly moving water," the hospital system said at the time. A "dangerous rescue operation" was underway, Ballad Health said in the statement. Ballad Health said that as of about 12:30 p.m., 54 people were on the roof and seven were in rescue boats. About three hours later, the health system said first responders and the Tennessee National Guard were still working to "evacuate all remaining individuals." The health system's website said Unicoi County Hospital, in the eastern part of the state, was closed "due to inclement weather," as were some clinics. Other facilities might be operating on a modified schedule and patients and visitors were being urged to call before going to the facilities, whose emergency rooms would remain open. Local television stations WJHL and WCYB reported that roads accessing the hospital were impassable due to flooding in the area. As the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene dumped heavy rainfall throughout the Southeastern U.S. Friday, Erwin, Tennessee, was under a flood warning, high wind warning and a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service. The rescue mission was a testament to the resilience of the community and the dedication of emergency responders who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of those trapped in the hospital. The water, which reached the banks of the Nolichucky River, was too high for any boats to be deployed. The floodwaters, which began rising in the morning, eventually reached the second story of the hospital. When the water started to rise, the hospital staff quickly evacuated the patients to the roof. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the National Guard were able to deploy helicopters to evacuate the patients and staff. The hospital is expected to remain closed until the floodwaters recede. The story of the Unicoi County Hospital rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that extreme weather can have on communities. It highlights the crucial role that emergency responders play in ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by natural disasters. With the storm's threat now receding, the focus turns to rebuilding and recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The community will face a long road ahead as they work to restore their homes, businesses, and lives. However, they can find solace in the knowledge that they have each other, and the support of their neighbors, to help them through these trying times.