Three dead, 100 missing in East Tennessee after devastating flooding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Three people have died and 100 are missing in East Tennessee after catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the number of missing and dead people is expected to rise.

“I would like to point out that TEMA uses a conscious process whereby we can be accountable for those harmed and have enough time for our loved ones before broadcasting,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “If you hear of more deaths and there is a discrepancy in the numbers, we take a very careful approach. I know there will be more deaths in this disaster. That’s what makes this a tragedy for me. Our prayers go out to the families and to those lost.”

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for several East Tennessee counties where road and water infrastructure was washed away. There are gaping gaps on Interstate 40 and Interstate 26, while 13 water districts are unable to provide water to their customers.

Gov. Bill Lee appealed for federal help Friday afternoon after more than 50 people were stranded on the roof of a hospital in Unicoi County. Sheehan said Tennessee did not ask for help before the storm because it was not predicted to hit Tennessee as hard as it did. Those receiving disaster assistance are in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson and Unicoi counties.

“This is going to be a long, hard, long process,” Sheehan said. “To illustrate, we are still working on disaster relief after the great flood in Tennessee in 2010. This type of flood – we know there is still a long way to go. We are working on mobilizing resources there.”

A lot has happened in East Tennessee. Here’s what we know so far about this disaster.

If you still can’t reach someone you love

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has established a hotline to coordinate missing person reports in areas affected by the recent flooding in Northeast Tennessee.

Anyone wishing to report missing persons believed to be in affected areas of East Tennessee can call 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463).

When you call, be prepared to give as much identifying information as possible.

This includes names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known location.

“We’re trying to help find the missing people,” Sheehan said. “We want to emphasize that in search and find operations.”

How you can help

If you sit here in Middle Tennessee and feel great compassion for your neighbors to the east, you can help.

But that doesn’t mean we’re packing the car with supplies and heading straight there this week.

“It’s not helpful for people to just show up,” Sheehan said. “Cash is the best way to help survivors. TEMA does not manage these donations and we work with non-profit organizations. Someone who has lost their home and gets a sofa today is not doing them much good.”

Both the East Tennessee Foundation and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will accept donations through the Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund.

In a week, East Tennessee will need help with cleanup and muck removal.

“We’ve seen a lot of well-meaning people get turned around by troopers and TDOT,” Sheehan said. “They are turned around because there is no place for them to go. We will have opportunities for these people.”

Some people don’t have water

Currently, 13 public water systems have reported significant problems. Two systems have destroyed intakes in Greeneville and Newport.

TEMA is working with state and federal authorities to find a quick solution.

“At the same time, we are transporting as much bottled water as possible to these communities,” Sheehan said. “We’re trying to find places to push water and set up those distribution points. The National Guard has been transporting water to those stranded since Saturday.”

TEMA said they would try to set up sustainable water distribution points over weeks and even months.

Some bridges and roads no longer exist

To date, at least 400 Tennessee Department of Transportation employees are in East Tennessee assessing the damage.

Hundreds of bridges are currently unusable. TDOT is working to get these back online.

Fourteen bridges are closed and five are destroyed.

Those numbers will rise, Sheehan said.