Hurricane Helene slammed into the southeast US on Thursday, Sept. 26th as an extremely powerful Category 4 hurricane. The storm took an unexpected turn, veering into eastern Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee. Its path of destruction was massive, including here in the Appalachia region. Thousands were without water, power, resources, and homes. The impact from Hurricane Helene will be forever felt in this part of the country.
First United Methodist Church of Newport is gathering information, securing supplies, and helping to organize volunteers to assist Newport, Cocke County, and the region in the recovery process.
Please find below opportunities to serve, agencies to contact, and helpful hints as we rebuild and restore our community.
Please find below opportunities to serve, agencies to contact, and helpful hints as we rebuild and restore our community.
Please make sure you are getting the factual and up-to-date information concerning the storm disaster relief. Here are websites and Facebook accounts with the correct information:
~ Cocke County Official Government Website: www.cockecountytn.gov/
~ Cocke County Emergency Management Agency: www.facebook.com/cockecountyema
~ Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis: www.facebook.com/RobMathisforCountyMayor
~ Cocke County Official Government Website: www.cockecountytn.gov/
~ Cocke County Emergency Management Agency: www.facebook.com/cockecountyema
~ Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis: www.facebook.com/RobMathisforCountyMayor
Hurricane Clean-up Pointers
Water Usage
~ Newport Utilities has thoroughly tested and evaluated water samples taken throughout our service area and concluded that all water within our system meets all safety standards set by health authorities. Tap water is now safe for consumption and household activities. The Boil Water Alert has been lifted for all Newport Utilities water customers.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬:
• All customers can resume normal use of tap water, effective immediately.
• If you have previously boiled water for consumption, it is now completely safe to consume un-boiled tap water.
• Please run your faucets for a few minutes to clear any remaining water in your pipes.
> Private well owners whose wells have been flooded should assume that wells are contaminated. Do not drink or bathe in water from a private well that has been or is currently flooded. Plan to sample and test well water for contaminants after floodwaters have receded. If the water is cloudy, odorous, or discolored, do not drink the water.
Disinfection procedures for wells can be found at this link: www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/water-quality/well-water.html and within the Tennessee Healthy Well Manual: www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/water/drinking-water-unit/TnHealthyWell.pdf
> Refer to the Newport Utilities Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/NewportUtilitiesTN
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬:
• All customers can resume normal use of tap water, effective immediately.
• If you have previously boiled water for consumption, it is now completely safe to consume un-boiled tap water.
• Please run your faucets for a few minutes to clear any remaining water in your pipes.
> Private well owners whose wells have been flooded should assume that wells are contaminated. Do not drink or bathe in water from a private well that has been or is currently flooded. Plan to sample and test well water for contaminants after floodwaters have receded. If the water is cloudy, odorous, or discolored, do not drink the water.
Disinfection procedures for wells can be found at this link: www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/water-quality/well-water.html and within the Tennessee Healthy Well Manual: www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/water/drinking-water-unit/TnHealthyWell.pdf
> Refer to the Newport Utilities Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/NewportUtilitiesTN
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Home Cleaning~ Cleaning your home and flooded areas:
> Mix one part bleach with ten parts water. Some sources say one part bleach to four parts water. >Use gloves to clean! > Use fans to dry walls and living areas. > Anything that does not absorb water can be adequately cleaned. > Items that do absorb water can be washed in a washing machine and then are safe to keep. Furniture, carpet, and other items that soak up water should be discarded. |
Farm Damage~ For information on how to handle farm and crop damage, see www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool#step-1 for some helpful information.
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Hurricane Relief and Volunteer Opportunities
~ Our communities in E. Tennessee and W. North Carolina have been OVERWHELMED by the response from all over the country in regards to Helene relief efforts! It's been an absolute blessing to see and feel the love of our fellow citizens. Due to the enormous (and greatly appreciated) response, all local collection and distribution sites are full!
~ If you are wanting to help with the ongoing recovery, the new main POD (point of distribution) site is now at Bristol Motor Speedway. Please see the above picture for a map of the POD. If you need further information, please head to their web page: www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/events/northeast-tennessee-disaster-relief-center/
You can also call them at 4238302696.
~ If you are wanting to help with the ongoing recovery, the new main POD (point of distribution) site is now at Bristol Motor Speedway. Please see the above picture for a map of the POD. If you need further information, please head to their web page: www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/events/northeast-tennessee-disaster-relief-center/
You can also call them at 4238302696.
~ For those that would like to make monetary donations, the Cocke County Relief Fund QR code is up and running!
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~ Newport's "volunteer central hub" is located at the old Ingles location (601 W. Broadway St). Head here to inquire about volunteer opportunities within the city, county, and region. You can also call the Volunteer Resource Center at 4239306052.
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~ The First UMC Newport Nurture Center is now functioning as a distribution center. We have a little bit of everything!
~ We have cleaning buckets provided by the Holston Conference that include the following items: laundry detergent, liquid cleaner, dish soap, air freshener, insect repellent, scrub brushes, cleaning wipes, scouring pads, clothes pins, clothes line, trash bags, n95 masks, kitchen gloves, and work gloves. Food, water, clothing, and baby items are also ready for pick-up.
~ Please contact Rev. Marta Cogburn at [email protected] or Louise Hux at 4236088641 to sign up and get more information.
~ THE NURTURE CENTER SUPPLY SITE WILL BE CLOSING FRIDAY, OCT. 11TH. We will be allocating our items and supplies to other places in the county and region.
~ We have cleaning buckets provided by the Holston Conference that include the following items: laundry detergent, liquid cleaner, dish soap, air freshener, insect repellent, scrub brushes, cleaning wipes, scouring pads, clothes pins, clothes line, trash bags, n95 masks, kitchen gloves, and work gloves. Food, water, clothing, and baby items are also ready for pick-up.
~ Please contact Rev. Marta Cogburn at [email protected] or Louise Hux at 4236088641 to sign up and get more information.
~ THE NURTURE CENTER SUPPLY SITE WILL BE CLOSING FRIDAY, OCT. 11TH. We will be allocating our items and supplies to other places in the county and region.
First UMC Newport in the news (Oct. 1, 2024)
~ Starting Sept. 30th: If you are a small business or industry in Newport or Cocke County, and you have damages or job loss, please reach out to the Cocke County Partnership at [email protected] or call the partnership at 4237209676. They will be working to assist with employers and employees.
~ The Cocke County Partnership has created a new resource page. Be sure to bookmark this page for the duration of the initial stages of disaster recovery: cockecountypartnership.com/mountain-strong/
~ The Cocke County Partnership has created a new resource page. Be sure to bookmark this page for the duration of the initial stages of disaster recovery: cockecountypartnership.com/mountain-strong/
~ The Tennessee Disaster Response Team will be coming to Newport on Oct. 3 to help anyone who needs their property cleared of debris for no charge. If you need assistance, call 9312393318.
~ Samaritan's Purse is on the ground in the areas hit hard by Helene. They are offering free assistance to help with the clean-up. Please contact them at the number on the flyer for aid.
~ Cosby High School is taking donations of household cleaning supplies. Drop-off for supplies will be at the cafeteria door in the back parking lot. Supplies will first be used by volunteer groups, then donated to homeowners and business owners.
~ Please email Principal Shawna Murrell at [email protected] if you need assistance. Please provide your address and express "Yard Cleanup" or "Interior Clean."
~ List of items requested:
Large lawn trash bags, work gloves, squeegees, Clorox wipes, paper towels and rags, mops and buckets, brooms, large garbage cans, rakes, scrub brushes, surface cleaners, bottled water, snacks, paper plates
~ Please email Principal Shawna Murrell at [email protected] if you need assistance. Please provide your address and express "Yard Cleanup" or "Interior Clean."
~ List of items requested:
Large lawn trash bags, work gloves, squeegees, Clorox wipes, paper towels and rags, mops and buckets, brooms, large garbage cans, rakes, scrub brushes, surface cleaners, bottled water, snacks, paper plates
~ The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church is committed to helping the affected areas recover. You can head over to a special webpage on the Holston Conference website to learn how to help: www.holston.org/article/18660603
~ Both local school systems (Newport City Schools and Cocke County Schools) will be closed the week of Oct. 7th due to Fall Break. Please head over to their websites for additional information:
> Cocke County Schools: cockecountyschools.org/
> Newport City Schools: www.newportcityschools.org/
> Cocke County Schools: cockecountyschools.org/
> Newport City Schools: www.newportcityschools.org/
~ All kids & parents are invited to a special "Game Day at the Park" the week of Oct. 7th. This is a great way to spend time with families & friends during the morning!
~ The school districts of N.E. Tennessee have partnered with the "East TN Foundation" to manage donations intended to assist school districts following Hurricane Helene. 100% of donations go to the affected districts. Please read the flyer for more information.
~ As the clean-up process continues, please make sure you are following the proper guidelines for debris removal and pick-up. Please refer to the chart below on how to do this.
~ Anyone who has had damage to agricultural products, or would like to assist those who did, please refer to the flyer for important information.
~ Tax relief is available for Tennessee businesses and residents affected by Helene. Please read more on the TN Dpt. of Revenue websites:
> www.tn.gov/revenue
> www.tn.gov/revenue
