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By Buzz Trexler

Star Correspondent

According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, six fatalities have been reported in connection with Hurricane Helene in four East Tennessee counties as of Monday, but reports may be slow in coming to the state because several county health departments – including Carter – are closed.

As of a Monday morning press conference held by Carter County and the City of Elizabethton public officials, no storm-related deaths have been reported in Carter, but TEMA reports 60 people are known to be missing. Unicoi County reports 10 people are missing, while Johnson has reported two. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has established a hotline (1-800-824-3463) to coordinate reports of missing persons in the areas affected by the recent flooding in Northeast Tennessee, TEMA said. Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts. Recognizing the importance of accounting for individuals who may be missing, TBI urges the public to refrain from calling to inquire about the status of personal properties in the affected areas.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, three people have died in Unicoi, while Johnson, Washington, and Knox have each reported one death.

Governor Bill Lee requested an expedited Major Disaster Declaration on Monday, which would provide public and individual assistance for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties. Grainger County was also included in the expedited request, but only for public assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized public assistance emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance at 75 percent federal funding for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson, and Unicoi counties. It also authorized federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, at 75 percent federal funding for Hawkins and Washington counties.

TEMA said it continues to deploy personnel as counties make the request and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. The City of Elizabethton posted on social media Tuesday, “At this time, there are no FEMA crews in Carter County.” 

— Take pictures of all damage and items, including serial numbers.

— Contact your insurance representative.

— Follow guidelines on debris removal.

“Once FEMA establishes a Damage Recovery Center there will be information disseminated on how to apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA.”

The Crisis Clean-Up Hotline (844) 965-1386 has been established for victims who need help with clean-up efforts. TEMA says this service is at no cost to the survivors who are requesting assistance. 

Requests for assistance are being fulfilled through the State Emergency Operations Center, including private-sector aid.

“As floodwaters continue to recede, we are beginning to have a better understanding of impacted water and wastewater infrastructure and some plants have reported problems,” TEMA said in the report. “If you are without water, please check with your water system for more information and recommended actions.”

TEMA urges people seeking to donate supplies or goods to check with the county for a needs list. A fund with the East Tennessee Foundation has been established for monetary donations.

 As of Monday afternoon, TEMA said, there were about 9,600 reports of power outages statewide, but many residents are unable to report an outage.

Mountain Electric Cooperative (MEC), whose customers include hard-hit areas like Roan Mountain and Elk Mills, is struggling to make repairs. “We understand there is a lack of cell service and communications. We know your power is out, it just takes time for us to get there,” it said in a social media post on Monday. “We are working with emergency service agencies, county agencies, & state highway departments to coordinate accessing areas where we cannot get to right now. We have 3 additional crews traveling here today. We don’t have an ETA for restoring anyone’s power, we are so sorry, we are trying to get as many on as possible.”

A previous post said, “We have over 10 contract crews that have traveled here to help restore power to our MEC system.”

Several wastewater treatment plants have been impacted, TEMA said, including those in Cocke, Hamblen, Johnson, and Unicoi counties. Boil-water advisories have been issued in numerous areas, including customers of Elizabethton Water Department, First District of Carter County, Hampton Utility District, Mountain City Water Department, and Erwin Utilities Authority. Issues were also reported in South Elizabethton Utility District and Roan Mountain Utility District.