More than 20 people were rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital by Virginia State Police

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) – UPDATE: 23 people were rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital by Virginia State Police on Friday.

Dramatic footage from the agency shows devastating flooding in the area.

We will post updates as they become available.

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UPDATE: Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson tells News 5 four patients were rescued by a Virginia State Police helicopter.

Stay with News 5 on air and online for the latest updates.

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Patients and staff at Unicoi County Hospital are trapped on the roof Friday due to flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.

News 5 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.

We will post updates as they become available.