COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee visited the Greeneville community Thursday to see the devastation from recent historic flooding firsthand. He first spoke with local leaders at the Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management, then met with volunteers and those impacted by the flooding at Trinity United Methodist Church.
"It's hard because you interact with people and you're reminded that these are real lives that are being lost, that have been lost. These are real families that are being affected in some ways for the rest of their lives. And when you talk face-to-face with people, you're affected and impacted by that. It's not something off in the distance, in another place. These are real live people whose lives are being changed," said Lee.
Trinity United Methodist Church has served as a community hub since Saturday. A volunteer there said around 1,000 people are getting supplies or bottled water each day.
"We also know that it's not just the response of TEMA and FEMA, and local EMA — it's the response of the people and the neighbors in the community and the church and the volunteers," said Lee.
Flooding along the Nolichucky River damaged the county's water tower. Lee said the number of people without power has fallen, although most of the county is still without running power. Lee also said the local utility districts have been working to repair water infrastructure.
Lee said he's been visiting the affected communities every other day and he has noticed changes.
"Forward progress in every step of the way and every meaning in every sense of the word," said Lee.
He also said there is also a lot of work to be done. He said he's confident it will happen based on his talk with local leaders about how they're executing their responses to the needs of the community.
"It's inspiring to see hope intersect with tragedy. And the outcome is a good outcome for this community. There's a lot of work to do," said Lee.
The governor said the top priority of all state departments is to support everyone affected by the flooding.
"Our top priority are those who have survived the tragedy that has befallen them, whether it is a lost family member, a lost home, the loss of water, the loss of employment, whether temporarily or permanent — they're survivors and Tennesseans are survivors," said Lee.