Gaby Torres had expected to be back at work by now at Plastiexports in Erwin, Tennessee, a business that was among those destroyed or damaged by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27. However, as the new year approaches, there is still much work to be done to recover the business from the mud and debris and to repair or replace equipment. Despite receiving other job offers, Torres is hesitant to leave her old job, where she has worked for 19 years under the same ownership.
Heathur Sawyer, owner of a tattoo studio in Erwin, reflects on the economic impact of the devastating storms of this year’s hurricane season in the region. The violent weather caused widespread destruction in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, leading to significant losses for businesses and individuals in Erwin.
The town of Erwin, with a population of about 6,000, faced a tragic event in September when the Nolichucky River overflowed, causing loss of lives and livelihoods. Impact Plastics, one of the businesses in the industrial park, was among those severely affected, resulting in the loss of six workers. The recovery efforts have been slow and challenging, with the community grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.
The families of the victims are now navigating through the holidays without their loved ones. Monica Hernandez-Corona, an employee at Impact Plastics, tragically lost her life during the flood. Her sister, Guadalupe Hernandez, reminisces about the holiday traditions they shared and the void left by Monica’s absence.
The devastation in Erwin has led to a surge in unemployment, affecting hundreds of jobs in the area. Efforts are being made to support those impacted by the closures and damages, including the relocation of hospital services to alternative facilities.
The community continues to mourn the losses and work towards rebuilding and recovery in the wake of the unprecedented disaster that struck Erwin.
In October, the unemployment rate rose to 5.6%. In the electric service area of the utilities, which covers Erwin, part of Unicoi County, Embreeville, and Bumpus Cove, officials identified 145 damaged homes. Among these, 80 were destroyed, around 40 suffered major damage, and 25 had minor damage. Guadalupe Hernandez, shown in a photo on September 29 holding a picture of her late sister Monica Hernandez-Corona, expressed her profound grief over her sister’s passing, especially felt during the holiday season. The impact extended to 31 businesses and industries, with 11 destroyed, 14 with significant damage, and six with minor damage according to Brown.
Heather Sawyer, owner of a tattoo studio in Erwin, shared the financial strain of losing $17,000 in business due to the flood. She recounted how her father narrowly escaped the flooding of the Nolichucky River that destroyed his home, while her stepfather, an engineer at Impact Plastics, survived with the help of a colleague who tragically lost his life in the flood.
Investigations by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration are ongoing to probe any potential criminal violations and safety lapses at Impact Plastics. J.P. Metcalf, part owner of Plastiexports, a plastics molding business, is determined to reopen and preserve local manufacturing jobs despite the devastating losses incurred. Facing challenges in rebuilding the plant and equipment, Metcalf emphasized the struggle of local businesses in the absence of significant external assistance, relying on local resources to restore operations.
If the industrial park doesn’t come back to life, I don’t know what will happen. I’m not sure if it will be rebuilt.”A spokesperson from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed that the agency does not offer assistance for rebuilding small businesses. However, they did establish a disaster recovery center in Erwin to accept applications for aid for residents whose homes were damaged and for other purposes.The farmland along the river also suffered significant damage. Chris Mackey, the director of the University of Tennessee’s Unicoi County office and an expert in agriculture and natural resources, described the former crop fields as now being bedrock. This has impacted residents across multiple counties. Restoring the land to production, if possible, is expected to be expensive. Farmers in Unicoi County primarily grow tomatoes, strawberries, fruit, and corn. Farms in Washington and Nolichuck counties were also affected, as well as properties where livestock is raised.National support has poured in for farmers and ranchers in the area, with tractor companies offering discounted equipment, donations of supplies, fencing, and other necessities. Grass seed is identified as the most critical need to bring the land back into production, according to Mackey.”It was essentially a complete loss, to be frank,” stated J.P. Metcalf, co-owner of Plastiexport, referring to his business months after the search-and-rescue operations in the industrial park.The loss of farmland has also impacted seasonal farmworkers who come to the region on agricultural visas. Typically working through November, some workers returned to their home countries early due to the devastation caused by the hurricane, as noted by Ana Gutiérrez, a workers’ rights organizer for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.After the flooding, families who remained were reaching out to Gutiérrez’s organization for financial assistance as bills piled up and winter utility costs were looming. FEMA does not generally provide aid to temporary agricultural workers and noncitizens without legal status.The coalition has also helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by families of Impact Plastics employees, many of whom are Latino, when they were searching for their missing loved ones. Following the tragic deaths of the employees, support has been extended to some of the affected families.”Some of the missing women were responsible for bill payments, ensuring they went to the utility company to make the payments,” Gutiérrez explained. However, the bigger issue was that the financial stability of many families relied on both earners. The loss of plant workers has significantly impacted the stability of these families.Plans for rebuilding and increasing resilience are underway. During the flooding, the privately owned Unicoi County hospital next to the industrial park was submerged, hindering the ambulances available for patient evacuation. Helicopters had to be deployed to rescue patients from the rooftop.In the interim, the hospital owner, Ballad Health, has set up a 24-hour triage facility where some hospital staff are currently working. The Un
The rebuilding of the county’s main bridges, which were severely damaged by recent floodwaters, is expected to exceed $13 million, as confirmed by county official Evely. The devastating floods not only wreaked havoc on the area’s industrial park but also caused significant losses for local farms specializing in crops such as tomatoes and strawberries, as well as livestock farming.
In response to the destruction, the county authorities are actively collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop comprehensive plans for the reconstruction of the industrial park. Additionally, efforts are underway to restore a vital rail spur that runs adjacent to the park, serving as a place of refuge for numerous workers during the storm. Evely emphasized that the recovery process will be lengthy, requiring several months to fully restore essential infrastructure including roads and utilities crucial for the region’s economic viability.
Highlighting the profound impact on the local economy, Evely underscored the significance of the industrial park as a key revenue generator through business taxation and property income. The financial implications of the damage incurred pose a significant challenge for the county, necessitating a strategic approach to secure funding for the reconstruction efforts.
Despite the adversity faced by the community of Erwin, characterized by its tight-knit bonds, resident Gutiérrez expressed a sense of resilience prevailing among the residents. In the aftermath of the tragedy, families have rallied together, organizing collaborative initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to those in need. Notably, discussions have centered around establishing power of attorney clinics to assist families navigating legal matters following the loss of a parent. Gutiérrez highlighted the plight of children left orphaned by the disaster, emphasizing the importance of securing legal representation for matters pertaining to medical bills, health records, and educational needs.
In a display of solidarity and unity, the Erwin community remains committed to collective action and mutual support, as articulated by Gutiérrez. The proactive engagement of residents in addressing the challenges brought about by the disaster reflects a shared determination to rebuild and forge a path towards recovery. Looking ahead, Gutiérrez expressed confidence in the community’s ability to persevere through collaboration and compassion, underscoring the enduring spirit of resilience that defines Erwin in the face of adversity.
