Hurricane Helene has left a devastating impact on East Tennessee, with the region experiencing unprecedented flooding and damage. The hurricane, which first made landfall in Florida, reached East Tennessee on September 26-27 as a tropical storm, causing a catastrophic interaction between the Appalachian Mountains and its rivers. Heavy rainfall, paired with the mountainous terrain, caused major rivers such as the French Broad, Nolichucky, and Pigeon to overflow. The surge of water from these rivers destroyed homes, bridges, and roads, particularly in towns like Erwin, Greeneville, and Newport, before flowing into Douglas Lake. By September 28, Busick, North Carolina, near Mount Mitchell, recorded over 30 inches of rain, and parts of Tennessee absorbed more than 10 inches, breaking regional rainfall records.
The destructive floodwaters caused by Helene also pushed the French Broad River 13 feet above its flood stage and the Pigeon River 20 feet beyond, resulting in the highest levels seen since 1867 and 1904, respectively. With state routes and major interstates washed away, including a section of I-40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, Governor Bill Lee declared a state of emergency.
In response to the scale of devastation, The Tennessee National Guard was activated early on to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. More recently, The Tennessee State Guard has been mobilized to provide crucial support to the ongoing recovery missions. Their activation has not only bolstered manpower but also allowed for more specialized operations. Tennessee State Guard soldiers have been instrumental in conducting logistical and supply missions throughout the state, ensuring the swift delivery of critical resources such as food, water, and emergency supplies to areas in desperate need.
In addition to Point of Distribution (POD) missions, where troops ensure that these essential resources are delivered to designated sites for distribution to affected communities, the State Guard is also assisting in Logistical and Supply missions. Guardsmen are utilizing haulers to load supply trucks and other distribution vehicles, ensuring that supplies reach their destinations efficiently. This heavy-lifting operation is crucial, especially as flood damage has made transportation and access difficult in many areas. By working in tandem with The Tennessee Army National Guard, The Tennessee State Guard is helping maintain seamless supply chains, ensuring that food, water, and other essential goods continue flowing into the hardest-hit areas, such as Cocke, Greene, and Unicoi counties. Their coordinated efforts have been essential in providing relief to residents while the recovery process continues.
At one of the active POD sites, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Senator Marsha Blackburn met with Tennessee State Guard troops, expressing their deep appreciation for the soldiers’ dedication to their state during this crisis. The collaborative efforts between the Tennessee National Guard, State Guard, and local officials have been instrumental in the immediate response to Helene’s destruction, providing hope and resources to those hardest hit by the storm.
The Tennessee State Guard has started deployment to East Tennessee. Photos by SFC Adam Acosta.
Your Tennessee State Guardsmen in the ground in East Tennessee doing what they have trained to do. Photos contributed by SFC Adam Acosta
Tennessee State Guard soldiers are pictured with Governor Bill Lee and Senator Marsha Blackburn. Tennessee State Guard and Tennessee Army National Guard are working side by side in East TN to help in disaster relief.
Sources: Tennessee State Guard – Know News
