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On Friday morning, Carter County officials gathered at the Emergency Management office to provide critical updates on recovery efforts following the recent devastation across the region. Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Billy Harrell, and Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders led the meeting, delivering vital information about the status of ongoing relief operations.

Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders opened the meeting with some positive news, stating that the county currently has no reported deaths or missing persons. However, the damage remains extensive, with over 650 homes already assessed as damaged. “We’re not done yet,” Sanders said. “There’s still a lot more to do, and we expect the number of damaged homes to rise in the coming days.”

Power restoration is progressing, though challenges remain. According to Brandon Schell from Elizabethton Electric, approximately 260 homes remain without power. Additionally, a boil water alert continues for Elizabethton and the South Utility District due to communication issues between the city’s water treatment plants. Sanders explained, “Our SCADA communication system is down, and while crews are working on a full reboot, the boil alert will remain in effect until further notice.”

To streamline relief distribution, the county is transitioning one of its primary points of distribution from Hampton Elementary School to Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. Other distribution points include locations such as Elizabethton Parks and Recreation, Happy Valley High School, Elks Lodge, Hampton Volunteer Fire Department, Little Milligan Elementary School, General Store in Elk Mills, and Roan Mountain First Baptist Church. Sanders emphasized that donation centers are requesting no more clothing at this time, focusing instead on essentials such as cleaning supplies and food.

In addressing local traffic concerns, Sanders urged residents to avoid congested areas, especially downtown Elizabethton and Lovers Lane. He noted that several tractor-trailers had gotten stuck on unfamiliar roads. “If you don’t need to be there, please stay home,” he advised.

Emergency Management Director Billy Harrell provided updates on the county’s partnership with FEMA and ongoing cleanup efforts. “We’ve started transitioning to a new incident management team,” Harrell explained. “This professional team will assist with planning, finance, and operations, and they’ll be here for another week.”

FEMA representatives are expected to arrive as early as Monday, and Harrell noted that the county is working on securing office space for them. “In the meantime, residents can already start applying for FEMA assistance online,” Harrell added.

The National Guard continues to play a critical role in the relief effort, delivering water to Butler residents near the Johnson County line and assisting with debris cleanup. According to Harrell, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is also working with contracted crews to clear state routes. “This is going to be a long-term effort,” Harrell said. “We’re focusing on primary roads now, but the cleanup of rivers and lakes could take years.”

Mayor Woodby expressed her deep appreciation for the National Guard’s efforts, noting that nearly seven Blackhawk helicopters are rotating through Carter County every 20 minutes, delivering supplies to hard-to-reach areas such as Elk Mills and Poga. “The National Guard has been a lifeline for us,” Woodby said. “Without them, I don’t know where we would be.”

The helicopters have delivered essential supplies, including generators, water, food, and gasoline, to various parts of the county. “We’ve been able to drop supplies not only in Elk Mills and Poga but also at Cloudland High School, Roan Mountain State Park, and other locations,” Woodby added. She emphasized that the Blackhawks have proven faster and more efficient than ground transport in many areas.

Looking ahead, Woodby highlighted the importance of vigilance as the county moves into the next phase of recovery. She warned residents about potential scams from fraudulent contractors seeking to exploit the situation. “Please, do your homework before signing any contracts,” Woodby cautioned. “We’re vulnerable right now, and we need to look out for each other.”

Woodby also provided a critical update on relief efforts in the Poga and Elk Mills areas. “For the Pogue and Elk Mills areas, we are working with the Army Corps of Engineers,” Woodby stated. “We plan to have a makeshift bridge brought in, flown in, and set down to serve as a connector, allowing relief and access back into the Elk Mills area. That is a top priority for me.

“This progress has been facilitated through Senator Blackburn’s office, following a request I made to Senators Blackburn and Hagerty. That process has already begun, and we hope to restore access to the community, especially before colder weather arrives next week.

“Next week, temperatures will drop into the 40s, with mountain communities experiencing temperatures in the 30s. This is a significant concern for me because many areas still don’t have heat.”

The county is also transitioning its emergency shelter from Elizabethton High School to Hunter First Baptist Church. This move allows schools to clean and prepare for students’ return. “Our kids need to get back to a regular schedule,” Woodby said, acknowledging that both students and adults have been overwhelmed by the disaster.

Woodby concluded the meeting by expressing pride in the resilience of the Carter County community. “We’ve been through a lot, but we’re stronger for it,” she said. “We’re going to rebuild this county bigger and better than ever.”

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through regular updates on the City of Elizabethton government and Carter County EMA Facebook pages. Updates will be posted live on Facebook at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The next press conference is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m.