UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared a public health emergency for Tennessee after Hurricane Helene. The state now joins four other states in the South that were deeply impacted by the storm, including North Carolina.
"Our people are resilient, strong, they lean on each other," said John English, director of schools for Unicoi County.
The community in Unicoi County has come together after the devasting effects of Hurricane Helene, with victims, volunteers and first respondents refusing to back down from the damage to the area.
"It may not seem like it now, and we're going to come out better and stronger," English said.
He's from Erwin and said the school opened its doors before the Noluchucky River flooded into the town.
"We've had a tremendous turnout of folks asking to, 'Put me in wherever you need me,'" English said.
Various services are available at the local school, including medical and mental health help. English said shots are also being administered at the school. According to the Tenessee Emergency Management Agency, its teams are working with recovery crews.
"We have teams in the several affected areas," TEMA said.
Leaders with TEMA said it provided Spanish translators to help with the language barrier in the community.
"We started this morning knocking door to door right next door to the most affected areas," TEMA said.
Gio Maere is one of several volunteers who showed up from Johnson City to help after the historic flooding. She came to help as a translator for Unicoi County's Spanish-speaking community.
"Unfortunately it's been challenging for people to communicate with the police and other agencies," she said. "It was very difficult for them to speak."
The community has adopted the phrase "Unicoi Strong," and the locals say that's what it's all about.
"Don't give up. We're going to keep on fighting," said Maere.
As to when schools plan to be back in session, English said they don't have a timeline yet for when students will be back. English said it would depend on electricity, water access and road safety.