East Tennessee continues to assess hurricane damage

(The Center Square) – Some East Tennessee residents remain missing as the area continues to rebuild from damage that occurred when the remnants of Hurricane Helene swept through Friday.

The Tennessee National Guard said late Monday it had rescued more than 100 citizens and delivered more than 34,000 pounds of drinking water, food, generators and other equipment to storm victims.

“Our priority has been to rapidly deploy to the affected areas and assist emergency responders with rescue operations,” said Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Warner Ross. “We are working with local emergency management agencies through TEMA by providing forces and support wherever needed."

The National Guard is also surveying dams, bridges and roadways.

Several roads in Washington, Green, Carter and Johnson counties remain closed as workers try to dig their way around debris, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. I-40 in Cocke County remains closed both ways.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a hotline, 800-TBI-FIND, for residents to report loved ones missing. The number of deaths stood at four on Monday but is expected to rise as more than 100 people are still missing, according to WSMV .

Until the flood waters are rescinded, it will be hard to tell how much damage has been done to water and wastewater treatment plants, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said.

Cocke, Hamblen, Johnson and Unicoi counties have reported issues with wastewater management, according to the agency.