EAST TENNESSEE (AP) — Patients and their caregivers sought shelter Friday on a Tennessee hospital’s roof after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene drove them from the building’s interior and conditions made rescue efforts difficult.

The dramatic scene at Unicoi County Hospital near the North Carolina border was one of several that played out across the southern U.S. in Helene’s wake, as flooding caused by its storm surge and rain sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds were saved, but at least 40 died.

Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and 43 others Friday morning after the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks and flooded the facility, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The decision was made to take everyone to the roof.

“The water there simply came up faster with more debris than was safe to operate in the rafts to ferry from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s emergency operations director.

After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital because of the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof. Three National Guard helicopters with hoist capabilities were on the way, officials said.

“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on-scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” said Ballad Health, the hospital’s owner, on social media.

Communities across Tennessee could experience heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and flash flooding through Friday morning as the remnants of Hurricane Helene move through the area.

After hitting the Florida coast, the remnants of the Category 4 storm are moving through Georgia as it continues to weaken. The storm will move into East Tennessee before curving northwest across Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

“The main concerns with this system for us will be heavy rain/flooding and very strong winds,” the weather service said.

LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Helene brings rain, flooding and gusty winds to Knoxville

The weather service’s Friday morning report states that Hurricane Helene’s remnants will mainly bring tropical downpours this morning. Flash flooding will be possible with an additional 2 to 4 inches expected in some places.

A flood watch is in effect for East and Middle Tennessee through Saturday morning.

Hurricane tracker: See Helene’s projected path

East Tennessee, Knoxville weather radar

Weather warnings across Tennessee

Tennessee power outages

Hurricane Helene damage reports

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – In Tennessee’s 43rd game under Head Coach Josh Heupel, the Tennessee offense went over 300 yards of total offense for the 41st time under the Oklahoma legend, as the Vols downed the Sooners 25-15.

Veteran offensive lineman Andrej Karic said the offensive line’s success comes from the team’s mental makeup as much as its physical ability.

“Something to describe us would be smart,” Karic said. “I think a lot of us in the room have played a lot of games, and just kind of seeing how things play out in the midst of a game and being able to make adjustments on the sideline.”

Saturday’s win wasn’t Karic’s first over Oklahoma. The senior began his career at the University of Texas, defeating the Sooners 49-0 in 2022.

“It was a little different kind of going to Oklahoma at their stadium and getting it done,” Karic said of the win, which he experienced previously inside Dallas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium. “It’s still the same feeling, same satisfaction.”

Karic and the Tennessee offensive line attributed its success to facing the Tennessee defensive line in practice daily.

Senior defensive lineman Elijah Simmons said the unit has been building toward the success its currently enjoying, allowing just 1.57 yards per rush, good for second-best in the nation.

”Yeah, honestly, it started in spring ball,” Simmons said. “We just knew from there that as we continue to go on and progress that it’s going to turn over to the field.”

Tennessee will get a week off before returning to action at Arkansas on Oct. 5, it’s an open date Simmons wished were filled with an opponent.

”I rather play every week,” Simmons said.

Can you blame him?

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