ERWIN, Tenn. — Rosa Andrade, the missing 29-year-old Impact Plastics employee who was swept away by flooding in Unicoi County in September, has been found dead more than a month after Helene.
Rosa was the last of six missing employees who died from Helene's flooding. She leaves behind a husband and two children.
William Edwards, the chief of the Unicoi County Search and Rescue team, confirmed Rosa's body was found Wednesday in a debris pile along Interstate 26 in Erwin and identified on Thursday.
The factory Rosa worked at was located along I-26 near the Nolichucky River. The river ran over and caused catastrophic flooding after the remnants of Helene dumped rain across Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina on Sept. 27.
As days turned into weeks, Edwards said the biggest challenge in finding Rosa was combing through the debris fields. He said some of the piles were up to 30 feet deep. Workers clearing debris along the interstate eventually discovered her body 33 days later.
"One of them spotted the remains and immediately held back from digging any further until authorities were notified," Edwards said.
Her husband, Francisco Javier Guerrero, said he last heard from her when she was inside the Impact Plastics factory.
"She said goodbye to me, and to take care of the kids," Guerrero said.
Edwards said news of Rosa's recovery provided some comfort for loved ones and workers who were praying she would be found. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition said her family organized a GoFundMe campaign for anyone who wants to support them.
All of those who were missing in Unicoi County have been found, but search efforts will continue for the many who are still missing in Western North Carolina.
As for Impact Plastics, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it is still investigating what happened on the day of the flooding.
The family of Johnny Peterson, one of the employees who died in the flooding, is suing the company for wrongful death, alleging the company's negligence directly resulted in his death.
The lawsuit alleged employees were never actually dismissed from work on the day of the flooding, and instead were only told they could move their cars while senior management left out a different exit to get to safety.
10News has requested public records on the investigation. TOSHA said it is not releasing any information yet, saying the investigation is ongoing and that it would release the final report to the public once that's ready.
In a statement, the lawyer for Impact Plastics said the company is "grieving over the wonderful people who were lost in the flood" and that it is working with agencies on the investigation.
The Six Employees
Johnny Wayne Peterson
According to an obituary, Johnny Wayne Peterson, 55, died in the flooding. His obituary said he worked at Impact Plastics for more than 35 years, and that he's survived by his children, their mother and had a grandchild on the way.
"Johnny was very involved in the Unicoi County Football teams, and he loved cheering his son on at every game," his obituary said.
Donations to Pereson's family can be made to the Johnny Peterson Memorial Fund at the Clinchfield Credit Union 1038 N Main Ave, Erwin, TN 37650.
Sibrina Barnett
A relative of an Impact Plastics employee confirmed to 10News that Sibrina Barnett is one of the former employees who died in the flooding.
There is a memorial benefit spaghetti dinner planned for Barnett from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. The benefit is being held at the Fairview Methodist Church, 878 Highway 81 North in Jonesborough.
Bertha Mendoza
According to an obituary, Bertha Mendoza, 56, died following the flooding of the Nolichucky River. The obituary said she was a native of Janamuato, Michoacan, Mexico, but she'd been a resident of Unicoi County since 1998.
Mendoza worked for Impact Plastics for years and is survived by her parents, husband, four children, four grandchildren and other family members.
"She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren," the obituary said.
Her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign page to help pay for funeral expenses.
Lidia Verdugo
A family member of an Impact Plastics employee confirmed that Lidia Verdugo died in the flooding. She was an employee at Impact Plastics.
"She was a great mother and grandmother," her loved ones wrote on a GoFundMe page. "The family is devastated by this event."
Monica Hernandez
NBC affiliate WCYB-TV reports Monica Hernandez also died in the flooding.
According to a GoFundMe page, Hernandez is a mother, wife and friend. She left behind three children, and her family is asking for money to help her be laid to rest next to her late daughter in Mexico.
Rosa Andrade
Rosa was the last missing person in the county after Helene. She leaves behind a husband and two children.
"She said goodbye to me, and to take care of the kids," said Francisco Javier Guerrero, Reynoso's husband.
