VIDEO: Virginia State Police helicopter flying stranded victims off hospital roof

The raging current and size of the Nolichuckey River nixed any chance of a boat rescue to evacuate more than 50 people from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital.

Emergency officials received help from the Virginia State Police and National Guard to use their aircraft to lift those stranded to Unicoi County High School; that includes more than 10 patients who will be transported to other medical facilities.

– In Newport, downtown residents are being taken out of dangerous conditions due to the Waterville, North Carolina dam becoming compromised from excess water. Traffic on Interstate 40 eastbound is being diverted off the roadway due to one lane of the highway breaking off into the river near mile marker 6 in Hamblen County. Most areas around the Douglas reservoir have sent residents to higher ground as TVA plans to release some of the high waters for safety.

– Interstate 26 in Unicoi County is shut down at mile marker 36 eastbound as hurricane rains caused part of the highway to be submerged with waters 4 feet high. Westbound 26 is closed near the mountain top at mm 43. In Kingsport, city workers are out clearing streets and roadways. Cleek Road is closed for flood waters while more than a dozen roads are shut down due to downed power lines. Bristol Tennessee Essential Services CEO Clayton Dowell has workers on day and night shift to get power back to thousands. An agency statement said residents in the areas of Hickory Tree, Highway 421 and Holston Valley should prepare for extended outages as winds continue to cut down trees, blocking access for repair crews.

(IMAGE: Virginia State Police)