One year after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, local officials gathered to address ongoing challenges faced by affected residents during the Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Legislative Breakfast. The event, hosted by the Northeast Community Credit Union, highlighted the urgent need for mortgage relief for victims who are still struggling.
Call for Assistance for Hurricane Victims
Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby and state Senator Rusty Crowe took the opportunity to reflect on the storm’s impact and to advocate for those who lost their homes. Many victims, as Woodby noted, “fell through the cracks,” either due to personal pride or the belief that others needed assistance more urgently, particularly in less visible areas like Roan Mountain.
Woodby emphasized that the “window is closed” for obtaining aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief program. She urged attendees to be proactive in checking on their neighbors and to reach out to the mayor’s office if they know of anyone requiring support. “We just did a disaster grant for three homeowners who have completely lost their homes and have received no help,” she stated. Each of these homeowners is set to receive $275,000 to aid in rebuilding.
Highlighting the personal toll, Woodby recounted the story of a Roan Mountain resident who, despite losing her home while raising six grandchildren, hesitated to ask for help. Her account underscores the ongoing struggles faced by many in the community.
Financial Institutions Urged to Act
Senator Crowe, representing Carter, Johnson, and Washington counties, also addressed the gathering, appealing directly to representatives from financial institutions. He highlighted the harsh reality that some residents not only lost their homes but also their land, which has become part of the river.
“People don’t realize… they lost their car, their tractor. They try to go to work, their business is closed, and they realize they still have a mortgage to pay on their home,” Crowe explained. He urged banks and mortgage companies to consider options for writing off debts for those who have lost everything, commending those institutions that have already taken such steps.
State Representative Timothy Hill, who chaired the House Disaster Relief Committee during the special legislative session in January, discussed the challenges of financial recovery. He noted that the $460 million allocated for disaster relief represents only about a third of the actual costs incurred by the disaster. “We’re going to come back in the next legislative session,” he assured attendees, reaffirming the commitment to address these needs.
Freshman state Representative Renea Jones remarked on the long-lasting impact of the flooding, stating, “The flooding that swept through our region left scars, but also revealed the heart of Carter County.” She praised the collaborative response from state officials, emphasizing the importance of unified action in securing funds for recovery.
During the event, Elizabethton Mayor Pro Tem Mike Simerly provided updates on city initiatives in the absence of Mayor Bill Carter, who was attending a family wedding. Simerly detailed several projects, including the purchase of a $1.8 million firefighting vehicle equipped with a 107-foot ladder, aimed at enhancing public safety.
Other notable projects discussed included renovations at the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library and the Bonnie Kate Theater, as well as the city’s ongoing paving program.
While U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty were scheduled to attend, they were unable to participate due to the ongoing government shutdown. Nick Castle, field representative for Hagerty, provided updates on relevant federal legislation in their absence.
The meeting served as a crucial reminder of the ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, while reinforcing the need for continued support and action from both local and state officials.
