ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Natural disasters can overwhelm local hospitals and health care systems. The emergency department at Mission Hospital in Asheville exceeded 200% capacity after Helene.

What You Need To Know

  • The National Disaster Medical System deployed 375 medical, public health and disaster response personnel to help at Mission Hospital after Helene

  • Before NDMS arrived this week, Mission Hospital’s emergency department exceeded 200% capacity

  • Officials at the Asheville hospital say the department now is at 50% capacity, and that helps ease the pressure on doctors and nurses

But thanks to support from across the nation, hospital officials say they’re at 50% capacity now. 

The National Disaster Medical System deployed 375 medical, public health and disaster response personnel, mostly from its California team, to help ease overcrowding at the hospital. 

Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the support takes the pressure off Mission Health’s staff, who’ve been working around the clock since Helene rolled through western North Carolina.

“A few days ago the hospital had more than 100 patients waiting in the emergency department. Yesterday, the hospital had one patient waiting to be seen,” she said. “And that provides a level of care for this community that we are proud to support, but it also allows the doctors and the nurses that work at this hospital to take care of their families and homes, because we know that they’ve been impacted, too.” 

Mission Health CEO Greg Lowe added the help allows the hospital to carry on with normal operations. 

“We have delivered more than 50 babies and have cared for more than 1,800 patients during that time, providing essential medical care in the face of extraordinary circumstances,” Lowe said.

O’Connell said DHHS just launched its Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. Uninsured patients can get a free 30-day supply of their prescriptions from participating pharmacies by going here.

There are also mental health services available for people impacted by Helene. You can call the Disaster Distress Help Line at 1-800-985-5990.