UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — As of Sunday afternoon, the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed two deaths from severe weather and Helene's impact — one in Johnson County and one in Unicoi County.
Sunday morning, Unicoi County Emergency Officials shared at least 73 people are unaccounted for after the flooding. Officials are still conducting welfare checks and rescue in necessary areas.
Wastewater services have failed, so the county is under a boil water advisory until further notice. There are around 750 people without power, and electric crews estimate they should have everything restored by Wednesday.
Officials say the Nolichucky River swelled up to 30 feet, causing widespread destruction of property. The water has receded 75%, giving officials space to conduct search and rescue efforts.
"We're relentlessly forward. We gotta grow, we gotta build back what we've lost," Jimmy Erwin, Unicoi County Emergency Management Director, said in a press conference.
How can you help?
Lots of supplies are needed in the impacted areas, and there is a new donation drop site for you to drop off anything you wish to donate.
The new location is Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church at 910 Hoback Street in Erwin, Tennessee.
Here's a list of supplies they currently are asking for:
Flashlights, batteries, trash bags, medical and work gloves, shampoo, body wash, hand soap, men's and women's deodorant, rubbing alcohol, bandaids, unopened and in-date medications (tylenol), charcoal, small propane gas tanks, gift cards for fuel, cleaning supplies, candles, blankets, new and unopened toys/board games and other items for kids.
If you know of anyone who is in need of help in the affected area, you can call (423)-560-0261 with their information, and operating crews will follow-up as soon as possible. If you wish to volunteer to support the recovery efforts in the county, call (423) 560-0269 for more information.
Supply Pickup Sites
If you or someone you know needs supplies, there are three new pickup sites listed below.
- Southside Freewill Baptist Church, 1313 Chestoa Pike, Erwin
- Temple Hill Elementary School, 797 Old Highway Road, Erwin
- Flag Pond School, 917 Old Asheville Highway, Flag Pond
Fostering Hope provides Christmas for kids in foster care. I'm delighted to see Fostering Hope expand this year to expand their reach to now include kids in Foster care in metro AND foster kids in East TN hard hit by Helene.
-Bree Smith
