Cabin stays intact after floating down Nolichucky River during floods

BYBEE, Tenn. (WATE) — Two weeks ago, the Nolichucky River in Cocke County burst out of its banks leading to extensive flooding and inundating homes and communities. Shawn Horne and his brother’s cabins were built right along the river before being swept away.

“Back when the flood came, we couldn’t get in back here until the fourth or fifth day,” Shawn Horne said. “Then we put our mud boots on and started hiking through here looking for things to salvage. That’s when we stumbled up on the cabins.”

Horne and his brother own a five-acre property right along the Nolichucky. They both built small cabins on the lot. His brother’s cabin was destroyed in the floodwaters. Shawn’s was left intact, a sight that didn’t set in right away.

“It takes a little while for it to sink in but you’re standing there looking at it, you’re like ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe this happened,'” Horne said. “It takes a few days for it to hit you hard and it’s already hit me hard.”

His cabin is now situated roughly 15 feet above a smaller creek connected to the Nolichucky. He is trying to find a way to get it back in one piece.

“We’re coming up with game plans, different game plans. We are going to try and salvage what we can. I’m trying to find somebody to get my cabin because it’s still intact,” Horne said. “I’m looking for a crane operator or something to come get it, that’s where I’m at right now.”

In the process of recovering what he can from the cabin, Horne is helping his neighbors through this difficult time.

“We’re just going to help all of our neighbors. We’re going to do what we can for them, even after we get the electrical up and running,” Horne said. “We are still do more electrical for our neighbors and do what we can. All the neighbors have the same attitude, they’re just going to try to help.”

His cabin is now half of a mile downriver from its original location. The cabin along with other homes in this area have been washed away. For Horne and his brother, they plan on rebuilding in the same spot.

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