NWS report highlights Hurricane Helene's devastation, lasting impact on Johnson County

A new comprehensive report by the National Hurricane Center on Hurricane Helene gave some details on the storm's impacts in Tennessee and elsewhere.The unforgettable storm hit Johnson County and Northeast Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, bringing record flooding to a region already bogged by rain in the previous days.The storm, which struck the southeastern United States with significant force, left many waking up to the sounds of howling winds and heavy rain, with no power.The 107-page report, released on March 21, provides detailed meteorological data, damage and casualty statistics, forecasts, intensity, track and more. The report tells the story of the storm's path from Florida into Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, and its path into Tennessee.In East Tennessee, the storm brought record-breaking rainfall, with some areas receiving more rainfall in a few days than during the whole month of September, according to NWS. This led to historic flooding, in many areas located near creeks and rivers.In Johnson County, many homes were washed away during the flooding, notably Antioch Baptist Church in the Trade community. What was once a community gathering place for fellowship and worship, was completely washed away when the nearby creek overflowed and swept away the building.A GoFundMe organized by Pastor Mike Fenner is currently in motion with hopes to raise $20,000 to help repair and restore the community that was once there.The donation page reads "Antioch Baptist has been a cornerstone of faith for Johnson County for generations. With the church building gone, we currently have no place to meet, pray, or continue our ministries that serve so many in need."Another significant loss to the community occurred in January when Parkdale Plant was permanently shut down due to extensive damage from the flooding. The facility experienced severe losses, as the NWS reports "Employees at Parkdale Plant were evacuated by helicopter." Over 300 workers lost their jobs, and the repercussions of the closure continue to impact families and individuals today.The report continues, noting that "very strong wind gusts caused trees to fall on powerlines, and the power wasn't restored for three weeks in some areas."This left numerous residents without power and telephone services. Many were unable to leave their homes for several days.While Johnson County was not spared from the storm's impact, surrounding areas recorded record-breaking wind gusts and rainfall totals.Unicoi County had the highest recorded wind gusts in Tennessee at 52 knots (equivalent to just under 60 mph). The highest rainfall amounts in the state were in Washington County at 12.43 inches.The NWS stated that Helene is the deadliest hurricane in the U.S since Katrina in 2005 as it caused 249 fatalities, 175 of which were directly as a result. There were 18 deaths in Tennessee. 15 of those were directly caused by flooding from the storm. One death was from "indirect causes, from a medical issue or car crash," and the cause of two deaths remains unknown.Despite the damage and struggles faced, the community of Mountain City remains resilient and strong.To view the full report, visit nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092024_Helene.pdf