Woman rescued from Tennessee hospital: ‘We should’ve had more time’

Rescue from the Roofs: Angel Mitchell Shares Her Harrowing Experience during the Tennessee Flood

For Angel Mitchell, a visit to her 83-year-old mother’s hospital room was supposed to be a normal day. But the heavy rainfall in Eastern Tennessee had other plans. The sudden and rapid floodwaters engulfed the hospital, trapping more than 50 people on the roof, including Angel and her mother. In an exclusive interview, Angel shares her terrifying account of the ordeal.

The Brief Warning and the Rush to Evacuate

"Maybe two minutes before the flood came through, we were told we needed to evacuate," Angel recalled. However, she believes they didn’t have enough time, and the hospital staff already knew the situation was serious. "I already knew, but they didn’t let us know. Then once we went to evacuate, it was already flooded, cars were getting swept away, and ambulances were being swept away."

The Desperate Search for Safety

Unable to use the ambulances, the hospital staff put them in lifeboats, but they were deemed unsafe. The group of stranded people, including Angel and her mother, was forced to make their way to the rooftop, hoping to wait out the disaster. The winds were so strong that regular helicopters couldn’t land, and black hawk helicopters had to be brought in to rescue them.

The Roof Ordeal

Angel described the roof as "insane," with houses, barns, and even cars floating by. "It was just really scary… I saw an airplane that had floated down. You name it, I saw it." The group was herded onto the helicopters like sardines, as many as they could fit, and were taken to a nearby high school. Angel’s mother, soaked and shivering, was rescued along with the rest of the group.

The Aftermath and Angel’s Concerns

In the aftermath of the flood, Angel is still dealing with the trauma of the experience. Her mother has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and Angel is outraged that the hospital didn’t evacuate earlier. "The president of the hospital knew hours ahead of time… but he kept telling us to wait. We should have had more time to evacuate."

A Call to Action

Angel’s concerns about the hospital’s actions and the location of the hospital itself are echoed by many. The hospital’s location was deemed a "flood zone" more than 100 years ago, and many are left wondering why it was still built there.

Remembering the Heroes

The rescue efforts were a heroic feat, and Angel wishes to thank the brave first responders who risked their lives to save hers. "I just think people should know that we should have had more time… and I’m pretty sure that the hospital president knew hours ahead of time. He waited too long."

Conclusion

Angel’s experience is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of quick action in the face of disaster. As the NBC News team, we hope that Angel and her mother receive the support and healing they need, and we will continue to follow their story.