ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A prominent local hospital in Asheville was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, leaving it and other clinics in western North Carolina reeling while trying to operate under disastrous conditions.
As of right now, all emergency rooms at Mission Hospital are currently open and caring for patients - but non-emergency surgeries and elective procedures have been canceled until further notice.
Stephanie Wildes is a Clinical Nurse Coordinator at the hospital.
She said, "you see these things but they happen to people in other areas. You know, they don't happen in the mountains. They happen in Florida and on the coast where there's lots of water. But in the mountains, I've never experienced that nor had a lot of other people. Homes that have been built since the late 18 hundreds, 19 hundreds never sustained flood damage. They are now underwater."
Nurses from across the country have traveled to Mission to help the hospital's efforts, with three nurses having traveled from New Hampshire.
While the hospital still has power, staff has had to tap in to its backup water supply. 20 water tanker trucks are brought to the building for patients on dialysis.
A unit was also created specifically for oxygen-dependent patients without power at home. 28 mobile showers are also available to those at the hospital.
As for employees, tanker trucks with free gas have been made available to staff, along with three meals a day for patients and their family members. An internal store is equipped with groceries, hygiene products and essential items.
The Asheville VA Medical Center is using its emergency generator and traditional power in order to remain functional. Staff are able to preform limited surgical procedures, but the emergency room, nursing home and rehab center are still open.