As Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain to rural Tennessee, workers inside a plastics factory continued working until flooding and power outages forced the plant to shut down. The flooding resulted in 11 workers being swept away, with only five being rescued. Tragically, two of the workers are confirmed dead as part of a death toll that exceeded 150 in affected states. The remaining four workers are still unaccounted for since they were washed away in the small town of Erwin, Tennessee.
Videos posted on social media show the harrowing moments experienced by the workers awaiting rescue as vehicles floated by in the floodwaters. Helicopter rescue efforts were eventually successful in rescuing the trapped workers from the plant. Impact Plastics, the company running the factory, stated that they monitored weather conditions and dismissed employees when the flooding began to cover the parking lot. However, workers who survived disputed these claims, stating that they were made to wait too long to evacuate.
The survivors detailed their experiences in escaping the flooding, including being picked up by off-road vehicles as the water levels rose. Some workers had to find makeshift ways to escape, with 11 employees eventually finding temporary refuge on the back of a truck. Unfortunately, the truck tipped over after being hit by debris, but the workers managed to cling onto plastic pipes for survival. They floated for about half a mile before reaching safety on a sturdy pile of debris.
Hurricane Helene’s impact continued to be felt as the death toll rose, and searches for missing individuals continued in multiple states. Survivors were facing challenges such as finding shelter, running water, electricity, and food. Additionally, the region was bracing for obstacles to voting, affecting the community in various ways. Among those confirmed dead at the plastics factory were Mexican citizens, with their families starting online fundraisers to cover funeral costs and other expenses.
The devastating loss of workers at the plastics factory deeply affected the community, with the company expressing their sorrow over the tragedy. The founder of Impact Plastics shared his condolences for those missing or deceased and extended thoughts and prayers to their families. Family members of the victims shared memories and tributes to their lost loved ones, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on the tight-knit community. The continuing search efforts and challenges faced by survivors underscored the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene and emphasized the need for support and assistance in the affected areas.
