GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Historic flooding from Hurricane Helene uprooted many lives in East Tennessee, including in Greene County. Those floods devastated the area nearly a month ago, and neighbors are still working to clean and rebuild their homes.
This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened disaster recovery centers in Greene and Hamblen counties to help those who had damages or losses from the hurricane.
Patty Kell said her three-story house in Greeneville was flooded all the way to the top.
"Everything is soaked in mud and water. Basically, they shoveled it out because there was nothing they could save my refrigerator-freezer side-by-side. It was on top of my kitchen counter, and you just don't know where to begin. It just overwhelms you," said Kell.
She said she spent some time at a Red Cross shelter, but a friend of a friend gave her a place to stay. She said her husband loses breath quickly while walking and he lost his scooter in the damage. She said they've been struggling to find solutions and is hopeful insurance will cover it.
Kell said she's now going through the application process for the federal disaster assistance at the recovery center. Workers there are helping her submit forms and files. She said FEMA workers have also been giving her access to many resources, including those who help locally.
"We applied online but there's a lot of forms and things that you need to send to them. So we came to this location and they've been very helpful," she said.
Her daughter, Trish Coker, said she rents a basement apartment at her mom's home. She also applied for help from FEMA, but she said she was initially denied because they shared the same address.
"We had to show proof that we are renters — we had a lease and check copies and we brought them here to the center and they uploaded them and then that goes towards the appeal, along with a letter stating that we lived at the same address, but it's two separate households," said Coker.
Coker said she was surprised by all the damage because she lived in Florida and had been through hurricanes before.
"We've survived many hurricanes. Never had to put in a FEMA claim. And you think you moved to a place like this and you don't have to worry about flooding or anything. It's a scary thing," said Coker.
Both Coker and Kell want people to know they should apply for the aid, and if they are denied, they can try appealing the decision.
"I think at this point you have nothing to lose. You come to them for this help. If you get what you need, you're much better off. If you don't try, no point in complaining. You need to try and see what's available and check out what is there for you. FEMA has the answers, you just have to ask the questions," said Kell.
The deadline to apply for assistance for Hurricane Helene is Dec. 2. There are three ways to apply for federal assistance: by applying online, by calling 800-621-3362 or by downloading the FEMA app.
A FEMA spokesperson also said people who are approved usually get funds within a week. Without direct deposit, it could take longer.