UPDATE: Twenty-three people have been 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'll have updates as they become available.

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UPDATE: Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson told News 5 that four patients have been 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 caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

News 5 spoke with Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson who said more than 50 people are trapped on the roof.

Ballad Health said as of 12:27 p.m., 54 people were on the roof and 7 remain in rescue boats.

All roads accessing the hospital are impassable due to flooding. Several cruisers and ambulances have been lost.

A SWAT team happened to be training and was able to save medications for the patients. Tilson said all patients and staff are safe at this time.

Ballad said theTennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard are involved in the rescue operation.