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After Helene: Forward

After Helene: Forward

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Friday marks four weeks to the day since Hurricane Helene caused massive flooding in East Tennessee, displacing families and destroying infrastructure in the region.

To mark the one-month mark, WVLT News has compiled a series of stories highlighting not only the tragedy of September 27th, but also the communities that have come together to help those in need.

Stories of survival and loss

“I will not die today” | 80-year-old Cocke County woman survives flood with few family photos

Shelia Creveling, 80, was at her home on the French Broad River in Newport when she noticed the rising water and felt she had no choice but to jump in with her dog, Biscuit.

Cocke County veteran rescues horses and helps save others during flooding in Helene

James Welch and his wife, who live on Woodyard Road, own a farm with several cows and horses. It’s a place her family has called home for more than a decade. When the floods began to rise, they decided to stay and try to save their animals.

“They were gone” | Cocke County woman loses both parents in flood

As floodwaters swept through Cocke County that Friday evening, the Obrist family tried to get to safety and leave their home.

“They told me ‘No’” | An Impact Plastics employee says the company could have saved lives in Unicoi County

One Impact Plastic employees said lives could have been saved if employees had been allowed to leave the facility sooner.

East Tennessee bands together

WVLT News is partnering with the Red Cross to provide relief after Hurricane Helene

WVLT News is partnering with the Red Cross to help organize donations. This came after thousands of people were affected by Hurricane Helene.

“I am part of you” | Dolly Parton and Dollywood announce millions in aid for flood relief in East Tennessee

Dolly Parton made a stop in Newport, a week after Hurricane Helene hit many other areas of East Tennessee with massive flooding.

“I can’t believe it” | A Del Rio man with cancer received a free home after floods destroyed his own

James Gregory, 84, lost his home in the devastating flooding of Hurricane Helene. Incredible Tiny Homes gave him a free copy.

Claiborne County farmers are helping other farmers in East Tennessee

As dozens of farmers across East Tennessee work to assess the damage from the devastating floods nearly four weeks ago, others are seizing the opportunity to help.

Trained mules and farmers from East Tennessee go to Asheville to help with the flood’s aftermath

Weeks after severe flooding devastated parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, people are still streaming into affected areas and offering help.

Knox County Rescue returns to East Tennessee after assisting with the aftermath of Helene

Twenty-three members of Knox County Rescue have been deployed to North Carolina and parts of Tennessee in recent days.

Communities begin to rebuild

“There is still a lot to do” | Hartford rafting companies discuss the industry’s uncertain future

Amid the damage in East Tennessee and beyond, several companies are working to rebuild what they lost.

US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg says road repair work is underway in Tennessee following flooding in Helene

Buttigieg visited the Cocke County side of the state line and answered questions about the federal government’s efforts to help reopen I-40 and other routes.

The Cocke Co. Highway Department provides updates on current road conditions

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Cocke County Highway Department crews were stranded after suffering severe flood damage themselves.