KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Hurricane Helene hit Cocke County and caused damages to houses, buildings, businesses and government buildings last year.
Flooding ripped through the town, and debris piled up on the roadways.
In total, more than 63,000 cubic yards of debris was collected off of the roadways and more than 1.4 million cubic yards of debris collected from rivers, according to a report on Cocke County damage by the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management.
Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis updated his citizens on what the progress looks like for the county to be fully recovered.
“It’s probably going to be closer to the five-year mark for total recovery, but we are encouraged and also determined that we will not leave anyone behind. We’re going to bring everyone along with us on this recovery,” Mathis said.
Mathis talked about four huge parts of their county that was impacted: residential homes, agricultural, businesses and public infrastructure.
“We have partnered with other people and other organizations to be the main efforts in each of these areas,” Mathis said.
From Hurricane Helene damage, nearly 300 homes were destroyed, but 100 homes have since been either rebuilt, repaired or are in the process of being built, according to Mathis.
Most businesses that received damage by the floods did not qualify for FEMA assistance. “600 jobs were lost in the months after the floods,” Mathis said.
Mathis said that a day after the floods, the Mountain Strong Fund was established. The fund was for Cocke County residents, and more than $1.4 million was distributed to businesses.
“They’ve helped us initiate a pilot program to replant all those riverbanks with native grasses, flowers and trees to stabilize them and also to keep invasive species out,” Mathis said.
Mathis said they have requests out to FEMA to help with recovery efforts. So far, the jail is the one project to be denied by FEMA.
“Unfortunately, it’s the most expensive item that was destroyed during the flood. So, we’re going to appeal that. We’re not going to give up on that,” Mathis said.
Cocke County is also requesting help from the governor’s office.
