More than 100 people are still missing three days after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, according to TEMA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is coordinating the state’s response to flooding impacts from Hurricane Helene, where at least three deaths have been confirmed in East Tennessee and more than 100 remain missing.

“When we Tennesseans lose, when we lose friends, family and neighbors, that makes this a tragic disaster,” said Patrick Sheehan, TEMA director.

Sheehan told reporters during a media briefing Monday that officials’ top priority is finding the more than 100 people still missing in East Tennessee and securing custody for their families. He urged the public to use the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s established hotline to report people missing due to the storm: 1-800-TBI-FINDor 1-800-824-3463.

Sheehan expects more deaths to be reported as TEMA continues to work with various local, state and federal agencies on search, rescue and recovery efforts.

RELATED: Why Helene was so devastating for East Tennessee

“It’s going to be a long road, and people are going to be frustrated, and things are going to seem slow, and sometimes they’re going to be slow, but we’re doing everything we can to quickly provide resources and support. “We’re helping these communities and making sure we stabilize the infrastructure,” Sheehan said.

FEMA has approved Emergency Response Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance with 75% federal funding for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson and Unicoi counties.

Flooded roads and bridges and downed communications lines are among the second biggest problems, according to first responders and others on the scene. Officials use radios and other devices to connect.

“Wireless communications in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, if you were there; If you have vacationed there, you know that the signals from your cell phone cannot be taken for granted on the most beautiful day. That makes it much worse and much more difficult,” Sheehan said.

A longer-term problem, Sheehan said, is access to water. Water intake systems in Greenville and Newport were destroyed by the flooding, and more than a dozen other public drinking water infrastructure systems have reported problems, with some damage described as “enormous” and “not easy to restore or repair.”

TEMA is working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other utility partners to develop rapid solutions to restore water systems and also transport as much bottled water as possible to affected areas.

VIDEO: State of emergency declared for water utilities in Newport, Tennessee

The National Guard is also airdropping water, food and other supplies to areas isolated due to road damage.

Despite there being so many people in need, authorities are asking volunteers to stay away from affected areas until they are called to help.

“At this point it is not helpful for people to show up unless they are affiliated with a volunteer organization that is part of this fight to restore services and put life safety measures in place,” Sheehan said. “Once the news cameras go down, people will still need help, and a disaster like this requires years and decades of rebuilding.”

Sheehan says the most effective way to help right now is to donate money to reputable organizations like Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TN VOAD) or the East Tennessee Foundation. The affected areas cannot accept donations of goods that have not been requested.

LIST: Organizations in Middle Tennessee are raising funds for areas affected by Helene

The following affected counties have set up donation collection points with specific requests for relief supplies. Before donating, check with local counties to determine specific needs:

CARTER COUNTY

UNICOI COUNTY

Donation drop-off point:

Donation collection points:

• Southside Freewill Baptist Church
  1313 Chestoa Pike Erwin, TN

• Temple Hill Elementary School
  797 Old Hwy Road Erwin, TN

• Flag Pond School
  917 Old Asheville Highway Flag Pond, TN
  9 a.m. to 4 p.m

WASHINGTON COUNTY

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