Washington Co., Tenn. students return to class after flooding devastates the area

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The South Central community was one of the hardest hit areas of Washington County during flooding brought by Hurricane Helene, with dozens of homes washed away, roads closed, power outages and a boil water notice still in effect.

Monday was the first day back to school for the Washington County, Tennessee School district since Sept. 25, two days before the flooding hit. South Central Elementary principal JW McKinney said ten families lost their homes–that accounts for 17 students at the school. All but five were in class on Monday.

For those that were there, counselors were available. Bottled water was free. Bus routes have been adjusted to make sure all students get to and from school. Immediate needs are being met as best they can. McKinney told News Channel 11 that just being back with friends is a start to healing for students.

“School is normal, and getting them back to school and being around their friends and not being isolated goes a long way to get them back to normal,” McKinney said.

Eli Chapman is a 7th grader who says he’s thankful to be alive. A budding artist, Eli is one of the students who lost his home.

“If we didn’t get out of our house when we did we might have died,” Chapman said.

Chapman and his mom, Heather Norton, were at their home along Highway 107 when the floodwaters from the nearby Nolichucky River started rising that Friday morning. At first, they thought they’d be safe, but within an hour, the flood waters had surrounded the home, flooded Norton’s car and left them with no way out.

Norton called 911 and thankfully, rescuers were able to reach the family in time.

Chapman says they were put in a boat and emergency workers treaded water to get them to safety.

It wasn’t long before their house was washed off its foundation and swept hundreds of yards away.

It’s heartbreaking for one school to see so much loss, but McKinney says the school is doing what it can to help.

“We have several families who have lost everything so that’s a hard thing,” McKinney said. “We’re talking with each family trying to get exactly what they need.”

McKinney says all students have found temporary housing with family or friends. He’s also
working with several churches and businesses to “adopt” the families to meet their current needs, but long-term needs will be ongoing. He explained right now, families don’t have the room to store items until they find permanent housing.

“Probably the biggest thing is once we start kicking off monetary donations is for people to donate to the families or organizations to help themselves or an organization can help them.” McKinney told News Channel 11.

And as for Chapman, he hopes his mom can get a new house and a car, but he’s got a great perspective.

“I’m blessed. I still have my family. I’m blessed I still have my cats. I’m happy,” Chapman said with a smile. “I’m happy I’m still alive today.”

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