Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction from Florida to Virginia, with our neighbors to the Northeast being hardest hit.

Unsure of the storm’s path, local emergency crews started meeting before the storm even moved into our region, preparing for potentially high winds, rain, and flooding. 

While Knoxville was spared the brunt of the storm, our crews were quick to jump in to help any way we could.

The day of the storm and in the immediate days following, the City deployed swiftwater rescue teams and search and rescue teams from KPD and KFD, along with 3 boats and a brush clearing vehicle.  An additional KFD employee was also deployed with the state incident management team.

Not long after those deployments, our Public Service team sent a crew and equipment to the Erwin area, as well.

Since then, the City has continued to offer any and all resources to help, knowing recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint.

The City also partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank at the Public Safety Complex, and thanks to many of you, in just 3 hours we collected more than 6000 pounds of water and other supplies. Individually, so many City employees have donated their time, resources, and money to help our neighbors—truly living up to that Volunteer spirit. 

CLICK HERE for updated ways you can help.