Ashe Memorial Hospital mostly untouched by Hurricane Helene

Though parts of Ashe County were nearly swept away by Hurricane Helene, the area’s largest health care facility, Ashe Memorial Hospital, was left intact and operational throughout the duration of the extreme weather event. 

The 25-bed hospital sits atop a hill overlooking U.S. Route 221. 

During the worst of Helene, a few leaks sprung and the power went out for about four hours but a mop and a system of generators kept the effects of the rain at bay, says Ashe Memorial Hospital’s marketing and public relations manager, Jen Blanco. 

"The biggest thing that we had issue-wise, was that the town of Jefferson, which is where the hospital sits, lost water," Blanco said. "And so they were under a boil advisory. And so for us, it was a matter of getting water up to the hospital. So we had two tanker trucks come. And so we kept those here running around the clock until we got the all-clear from the town." 

Blanco said hospital admission numbers have remained regular. As people displaced by the storm start sorting through their properties, she says admissions related to mold exposure may cause an uptick in visits. The hospital is also preparing for cold and flu season.

Incoming donations

Blanco added that Ashe Memorial has become the main distribution point for medical supplies in the area. 

"So what we do with those is we take them and we determine one, if they’re hospital use," Blanco said. "If they're hospital use they’ll stay here. We also can determine if they’re more like feeding tubes, things that would be going to like rehab facilities or some of them we can send out into the field. We have medical tents set up in some of our communities that were hit really hard. And so, we’re sending supplies out there as well as over-the-counter medications." 

Like many hospitals across the country, Ashe Memorial has been put on a set allocation of IV fluid after a major manufacturing site for the product flooded just a few hours south of Jefferson. 

Blanco said that concern was quickly mitigated after community members donated powdered electrolytes in droves upon the hospital’s request. 

For donations related to food, water and similar supplies, Blanco said the hospital has set up a pantry for employees impacted by Helene.