Janice R. Andrews
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on North Carolina, pre-established field hospitals remain largely vacant despite the rising death toll. These mobile medical facilities, set up by healthcare providers and charitable organizations, were intended to offer crucial medical assistance following the storm. However, they currently stand mostly empty as survivors, struggling with widespread power and communication outages, remain unaware of their existence.
One such facility, managed by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian aid organization, is located near Newland and Linville, approximately 140 miles west of Greensboro. Despite being fully prepared to support local hospitals, the facility has seen very few patients since its opening. Sasha Thew, an emergency medical response expert, explained that their primary role was to provide additional capacity if local hospitals became overwhelmed. As of Friday, they had only treated minor injuries and provided medication refills.
A similar situation is unfolding at another field hospital in Tryon, about 50 miles south of Asheville, operated by Atrium Health. Lead nurse Wendy Henson reported that they had treated a small number of patients for general illnesses and injuries, but the site remained largely unused. “We’re operational and eager to spread awareness,” Henson stated. However, ongoing power disruptions and damaged communication infrastructure have hampered their outreach efforts.
To overcome these communication challenges, the team is exploring the use of local AM radio stations to inform residents about the available medical services. “We’re actively seeking ways to reach out to the community and let them know we’re here, ready, and well-equipped to address their medical needs,” Henson added. Despite the low patient turnout, the mobile hospital is fully equipped for surgeries and emergency care, boasting state-of-the-art facilities including an operating theater.
These field hospitals were established in anticipation of severe injuries and overwhelmed local medical facilities. However, the current challenge appears to be informing the public about their existence. With hundreds of people still unaccounted for and a rising death toll, officials caution that the need for these facilities may increase in the coming days.
As of Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported 215 fatalities due to Hurricane Helene, with North Carolina accounting for over half of the deaths. Severe flooding across the state has destroyed homes, damaged roads and bridges, and left survivors to cope with immense loss. FEMA has prepared refrigerated trucks to store bodies if morgues reach capacity.
While the field hospitals await patients, search and rescue teams continue to scour the region for survivors. FEMA’s preparation for additional fatalities is a precautionary measure as they coordinate with state officials to determine the next steps.
Both Henson and Thew are encouraging local residents to utilize the available medical services. Henson emphasized the Atrium site’s ability to support or temporarily replace a small-town hospital if necessary. “We’re capable of handling any medical situation. We have a fully operational surgical suite,” she stressed. Thew mentioned that Samaritan’s Purse had a roster of on-call doctors, though their expertise hadn’t been required yet.
For some, like Red Cross volunteer Rebecca Rudisill, the field hospitals have already proven valuable. Rudisill, who came to assist with relief efforts, became a patient herself after injuring her leg in a fall. “I’m frustrated because I came here to help, but now I can’t,” she expressed.
As the aftermath of the storm continues to unfold, medical teams remain on standby, ready to provide assistance. However, until survivors can be informed about the services available to them, these potentially life-saving resources may remain underutilized during a time of critical need.
