73 unaccounted for in Unicoi County as leaders meet for briefing

ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — Leaders in Unicoi County met Sunday morning to provide an update to the public regarding rescue and relief efforts for flood victims in the area.

An Incident Management Team member named Myron Hughes confirmed that 73 individuals were unaccounted for, including welfare checks and reported missing persons. Hughes is working with Unicoi County on behalf of county officials.

Hughes said a search and rescue team found a casket in a debris field on Saturday and is working with a forensic center to identify remains. He clarified during the Sunday conference that no deaths have officially occurred as a result of flooding. Hughes said this was a clarification from Saturday’s conference, where it reported that there had been confirmed deaths.

Unicoi County Schools said during the conference it is “unlikely” that schools will be back in session a week from Monday after an already-scheduled fall break, but officials are working as quickly as possible to get students back to class.

Erwin Fiber/Erwin Utilities President Lee Brown said power is expected to be restored for those in non-flood zones by Wednesday. He said it is estimated that 1,500 customers are without power. A boil water notice remains in effect for Erwin Utilities but doesn’t affect Unicoi’s utility district.

Brown said the county’s wastewater treatment plant is inoperable; wastewater is flowing through the plant and draining into area waterways untreated. Residents are urged to stay out of any floodwater due to the potential health risk.

Powerline rebuilding along the hospital route is estimated to take two to three weeks, Erwin Utilities said.

“We do not have access to Highway 81 South due to the highway and our poles being washed away,” Erwin Utilities said in a release Saturday night. “We cannot provide an estimate of when we can begin restoration to Highway 81 South, Embreeville, Bumpass Cove, and Little Germany at this time.”

Erwin Utility said it has 5,195 water customers, and on Saturday, 533 of those customers were without water.

Hughes said if any major developments take place Sunday, an additional press conference will be held at 5 p.m.

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