Erwin Hospital during the flood
Erwin Hospital before the flood
ONE: On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in East Tennessee. The small hospital in Unicoi County was close to the Nolichuckey River, and the hospital flooded so quickly that the patients and staff had to move to the roof, which they did with the help of the local fire department. From there, they were evacuated by helicopter.
Today, the not-for-profit that runs the Unicoi County Hospital (Ballad Health) is building a new hospital to replace the flooded building.
The “Erwin Nine” gather for a photo in July 1945, after they were freed from the prisoner of war camp in Germany (George Hatcher photo)
TWO: Erwin is the county seat of Unicoi County, and in 1944, it had a population of about 3,200 people. Incredibly, nine of Erwin’s residents were prisoners of war at Stalag Luft 4, a POW camp near Belgard, Germany.
The last remaining of the Erwin Nine, as they became known, was George Hatcher, who died in 2018 at the age of 97.
A sign on the Appalachian Trail in Unicoi County
THREE: Unicoi County is one of seven East Tennessee counties that contains parts of the Appalachian Trail, which runs 2,175 miles through Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
A view of the Nolichuckey River from the trail
There are people who have hiked the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail; it takes about four to six months to hike its entire length.
When the Appalachian Trail crosses the Nolichucky River in Unicoi County, it passes very close to Erwin. It also crosses the Nolichuckey River, passes a well-known stop called Uncle Johnny’s hostel and climbs up for some wonderful views of the valley below.
Here is the Unicoi County Courthouse.
