Unicoi County residents pull together after floods

ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) It’s easy to underestimate the power of water, but along the banks of the Nolichucky River in Unicoi County, you can see its force. It’s evident in the imprint on blown-over trees, the huge piles of debris, and the crumbled remnants of what was someone’s home.

Page Sifford explains how what’s left of her neighbor’s home ended up in her yard.

‘So that building is part of a house, and it washed away into our yard,” said Sifford. “We are so blessed.” You can see a line of debris and I think it was one foot from our house. But looking out, it’s just devastating.”

Unicoi County EMA says they’ve asked for help from multiple state agencies as some have lost homes, many have no power or water, and wastewater services have failed in parts of the county.

Next week is Unicoi County School’s fall break which means the school buildings are a perfect staging area for rescue efforts. The middle school is being used as a command center for various agencies, and the high school is now a shelter that provides a place to eat, sleep, and restock on essentials like clothes and shoes.

Director of Unicoi Schools John English says he doesn’t know when school will reopen for classes.

“Unicoi is doing what Unicoi does, but there’s a lot of destruction and devastation, and there’s a lot of things to work through in the next few days and weeks,” explains English.

English says he’s never dealt with anything so widespread and fears at least one school, Temple Hill Elementary, may be damaged beyond repair.

“In my lifetime I haven’t had to see anything like this when it comes to the care and concern of our staff and the entire community,” English told News Channel 11.

Page Sifford agrees and says it’s hard to know where to start the cleanup.

“I don’t know, I don’t even know. Community I guess? I think this is where God shows his light is with community,” said Sifford.

And the community is already showing up. In addition to the shelter at the high school, Southside Baptist Church is also collecting and handing out non-perishable food and water donations.

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