Water supplies and roads destroyed

Cleaning up will take a long time.

Many communities in East Tennessee are still under water, and those that are drying up have exposed destroyed roads, bridges and destroyed utility systems. The remnants of Hurricane Helene pushed rivers to record levels and forced rescue operations.

Safety comes first, then it’s about setting up and putting basic services into operation.

Here’s a look at where things stand, county by county.

Knox News compiles important information about roads, water supplies and, unfortunately, missing people. We will continue to update this story If you have something to share with your community, please contact [email protected].

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The Salvation Army is asking for help in Tennessee

The The Salvation Army has set up a temporary base in Johnson City. A 20-person team is on site serving hot meals and providing supplies to communities in need in East Tennessee.

Donate at helpalvationarmy.org or 800-SAL-ARMY.

Carter County

THOUSANDS REMAIN WITHOUT POWER

There are 5,500 customers without power in the county, Elizabethton city spokesman Ivan Sanders, who also serves as county spokesman, told Knox News.

Crews were working to restore power as quickly as possible by rebuilding damaged lines, Sanders said.

ROADS AND BRIDGES DAMAGED, supplies being airdropped

Sanders said authorities were working to airdrop food and supplies into areas cut off by road closures.

“We currently have 14 bridges and 16 roads under construction,” he said, “so airdrops are the only way to reach some residents.”

BOIL WATER WARNING IS IN PLACE BUT WATER IS EXPECTED BY 5PM SEPTEMBER. 29

Sanders said water pressure is expected to be restored by 5 p.m. Sept. 29, although a boil water advisory is in place and will remain in effect until further notice.

“It will take a few days to completely clear the system,” Sanders said.

COUNTY Schools are closed indefinitely, but city schools are expected to open earlier

Carter County schools will likely be closed “indefinitely” due to the ongoing disruptions, Sanders said.

The city of Elizabethton school system, while also affected, may only be closed for a day or two, Sanders said, but there has been no official statement from the superintendent.

LOCAL HOSPITAL CLOSED

The local hospital was closed, Sanders said. Hospitals in nearby areas such as Johnson City are operating, he added.

AVAILABLE SUPPLIES AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation will serve as the county’s official donation center on September 29th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 300 W. Mill Street.

The center will provide displaced neighbors with the following supplies:

Mineral water (one carton per family)
Eat
Cleaning products
Diapers
baby food
Emergency care for those in need

If you would like to help, the center’s most urgent needs are water bottles and first aid kits.

The recreation center also needs volunteers to help distribute supplies from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m

Cocke County

Where can you donate supplies?

A supply collection and distribution center has been established: Cocke County Water Distribution Point, 613 W. Broadway in Newport.

This is the old Ingles parking lot.

The power is coming

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said the utility is “building a power line across the Pigeon River in Hartford and Greasy Cove.”

“They have six additional contract teams supporting us with about 40 additional men,” he wrote on Facebook.

SOME STREETS ARE OPEN

The mayor said all state highways are open and passable. Other interior streets remain closed.

“According to our highway superintendent, most county highway department vehicles were destroyed in the flooding,” Mathis wrote.

Greene County

The water is running out

Greeneville’s water supply will be depleted today, Laura White, superintendent of the Greeneville Water Commission, told Knox News.

“Most people will be without drinking water,” White said.

She said they hope to have water pumping by Oct. 4.

Until then, the authority is working on setting up drinking water distribution stations throughout the district.

The county’s water intake system, which is responsible for pumping water from the river to the treatment plant, has been “enveloped” by the Nolichuckey River, the Greeneville Water Commission released in an update.

The agency is receiving water pumps in two shipments — one today and one tomorrow, White said.

Staff are working to clear debris to get to where the pumps need to be placed, White said.

The agency provides water to Greeneville and much of the county through five service districts and said it was unsure how long it would take to restore supply.

The inlet structure was “completely flooded,” the authority said. “After the water receded today. We have determined that there is not much, if anything, that can be saved at our pumping station.”

The water in the storage tanks available to the agency is suitable for a 24-hour supply under normal conditions, it said.

SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED

Greeneville City and Greene County Schools will both be closed Monday, September 30th through Friday, October 4th.

Greeneville City Schools will offer breakfast and lunch on September 30th and October 2nd from noon to 2 p.m. It can be picked up curbside at Greeneville High School. Several breakfasts and lunches are offered on pickup days.

Parents will receive an email with a link to register, which will also be available on the district’s website.

The power went out

About 3,200 customers are without power, Greeneville Energy Authority spokesman Drew Hall told Knox News on Sept. 29.

Sevier County

CHANGES TO THE EVACUATION LIST

Sevier County Emergency Management officials are working with the TVA on river flows. The evacuation list has changed:

Areas still closed: • Deerfield Mobile Home Park: Residents can stop by to pick up essential items (e.g. medications, pets, clothing) until 6 p.m. The area is not accessible by vehicles. Please report to a police officer at the entrance before entering. • Lazy River Lane

Restricted areas open: Certain houses are marked with yellow tape and entry is discouraged. • River Mist Lane (Deep River Drive, River Lane) • River Dance Lane • Newsome Road • River Breeze Drive

Open and available for return: • Binginham Island • Luther Catlett Circle • River Run Circle • River Island Boulevard • Tranquility Lane/Gentlemens Way • River Vista Circle • River Bend Road • Indian Warpath • Twin Oaks Way • Betsy Court • Hodges Ferry Road • Ray’s Gap Road

There is no longer any need to save water USE IN SOME AREAS

According to Tyler Basler, director of public affairs and communications, Sevier County Water Department customers on Jones Cove Road, Richardson Cove Road, Bogard Road and Pearl Valley Road will no longer be required to conserve water.

Unicoi County

73 remain unaccounted for as search and rescue efforts continue

“There are currently no confirmed deaths related to the flooding,” Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency spokesman Myron Hughes said at a Sept. 29 news conference.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is searching for missing people, Hughes said.

While searching a rubble field yesterday, the search and rescue team found a coffin. Authorities are working with the William Jenkins Forensic Center to identify and notify the family, Hughes said.

Some areas remain inaccessible because Highway 81 is “completely washed out,” said EMA Director Jimmy Erwin.

FOOD, ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS

Food distribution centers have been set up at Temple Hill School at 797 Old Highway Road in Erwin and Flag Pond School at 917 Old Asheville Highway in Flag Pond for anyone who can reach them.

Shelter has been set up at Unicoi High School, 700 S. Mohawk Drive in Erwin.

Utilities are being rebuilt, wastewater treatment plant affected

The Salvation Army is asking for help in Tennessee

Carter County

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