Northeast Tennessee flooding leaves 11 dead, more than 20 missing

By KATE COIL

TT&C Assistant Editor

Eleven people are confirmed dead and more than 20 are missing following flooding caused by the landfall of Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee.

Of the 11 deaths, four deaths were confirmed in Unicoi, two in Cocke County, two in Washington County, one in Greene County, one in Johnson County, and one in Knox County. Authorities have also reported some 23 people - down from a height of 153 - unaccounted for or missing people with 337 calls launched to a TBI hotline seeking information on missing people. 

The state initially reported 62 missing people in Washington County, four in Johnson County, 47 in Unicoi County, and 40 in other surrounding counties. Authorities believe many of these individuals are safe, but unable to presently identify due to outages.

"Authorities continue their efforts to locate the following number of people," TBI said. "With limited cell service and infrastructure challenges in the impacted areas, authorities believe many of these individuals are safe, but unable to presently identify themselves as such."

Nationwide, 215 deaths have been reported with North Carolina accounting for more than half of storm-related deaths. Helene's swath of destruction brought historic rainfall, flooding, power outages and 140-mile-an-hour winds across the Southeast. This makes Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina.

TML President and Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown expressed concern for those Tennessee municipalities affected and encouraged city leaders to show support in the wake of the tragedy.

"So much loss it’s inconceivable," Brown said. "Our neighbors will need our help for a long time. I pray for those who are trapped, who are hurt, who have lost loved ones - and that the support they need is available as soon as possible. I can’t imagine what so many are suffering right now."

Mutual aid has been dispatched from municipalities across the state to help communities in Northeast Tennessee, including crews from Columbia, Cookeville, Fayetteville, Gallatin, Knoxville, Lawrenceburg, Loretto, Mt. Pleasant, Sevierville, Spring Hill, and more. Approximately 15 swiftwater rescue teams from across the state were mobilized.

Impacted counties do not have the capability to receive material donations or volunteers that have not been requested by state or local authorities, so state officials have requested that donations be made to the East Tennessee Foundation. For more information on how to help, visit Volunteer Tennessee. The town of Erwin has also started a GoFundMe for local residents.

Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency with the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) authorizing Public Assistance emergency protective measures including direct federal assistance at 75 percent federal funding as well as limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson, and Unicoi counties.

Additionally, more than 50 people had to be evacuated from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin after flood waters inundated the facility. The Cocke County Jail in Newport along with downtown Newport itself were also evacuated following the failure of the Waterville Dam, also known as Walters Dam. A near breach of the Nolichucky Dam was also feared, but the water crested without issue. 

An estimated 6 to 10 inches of rain fell in the region on Friday alone with 2 to 4 inches coming from storms that continued throughout the weekend. A peak of approximately 60,000 power outages were reported as a result of the storm. TEMA has also confirmed 1,600 structures and homes were impacted by the storm with 120 entirely destroyed and 313 majorly damaged.

The wastewater treatment facilities in Newport, Erwin, Mountain City, and Hamblen County’s Lowland Wastewater Treatment Plant were all impacted as were the water departments in Newport, Mountain City, Erwin, South Elizabethton, Mosheim, Jonesborough, and facilities across Carter, Greene, and Johnson counties. 

Many roads and bridges were damaged or left in serious condition from the storms, including a portion of Interstate 40 that was washed out 3.5 miles from the North Carolina border, prompting closure of the interstate. Interstate 26 was also closed in Unicoi County due to flooding. Access was also impossible or limited to both local and major roadways, including Highway 81 in Erwin. 

A total of 27 state roadway sections and 14 state bridges were closed while five state bridges were destroyed. The Tennessee Department of Transportation dispatched more than 400 employees, including crews from the West Tennessee area, to East Tennessee to aid in ongoing inspections, repairs, and recovery as waters recede. 

Four state parks have also been closed until further notice: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Roan Mountain State Park in Roan Mountain, Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond, and David Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone. 

For more information and resources, visit the TEMA website.