A large group of patients and medical staff found themselves stuck on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, on Friday afternoon, as reported by Ballad Health.

Flooding and strong winds related to Helene made it impossible for ambulances, rescue boats, and helicopters to access the hospital, according to the statement. By approximately 12:30 p.m., 54 individuals were on the roof while seven others were in rescue boats.

“The hospital is surrounded by extremely hazardous and fast-moving water,” the statement highlighted. A “perilous rescue operation” was currently in effect, as communicated by Ballad Health.

The health system’s website mentioned that Unicoi County Hospital, located in the eastern part of Tennessee, was closed “due to severe weather,” with several clinics also shut down. Some other facilities might operate on a limited schedule, and patients along with visitors were encouraged to contact them before arrival, although the emergency rooms would remain functional.

Local news outlets WJHL and WCYB reported that the roadways leading to the hospital were impassable due to flooding in the region.

Rescue efforts included the involvement of a nearby SWAT team that was training in the area, as well as the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, National Guard, and Virginia State Police.

As the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene brought heavy rain to the Southeastern U.S. on Friday, Erwin, Tennessee, was under multiple alerts including flood warning, high wind warning, and a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm was expected to shift northwest as it weakened into a tropical depression later on Friday, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph, as reported by the Nashville Tennessean.