11 Tennessee Factory Workers Lost In Floodwaters After Being Forced To Stay Until It Was Too Late Amid Hurricane Helene Chaos
As Hurricane Helene’s unrelenting rains pounded rural Tennessee, a plastics factory became the site of a devastating tragedy. Impact Plastics
As Hurricane Helene’s unrelenting rains pounded rural Tennessee, a plastics factory became the site of a devastating tragedy. Impact Plastics, located in the small town of Erwin, was still operating when floodwaters from the Nolichucky River began rising rapidly on Friday. Despite flash flood warnings and rising concern, the factory continued production until it was too late for many to escape. Eleven workers were swept away by the raging waters, with only five rescued. As of Tuesday, two of those workers have been confirmed dead, while four remain missing.
The catastrophe in Tennessee is part of a larger crisis unleashed by Hurricane Helene, which has claimed over 150 lives across multiple states. But for many, this particular incident is a bitter reminder of the dangers workers face when their safety is not prioritized in emergency situations.
The workers at Impact Plastics had been watching the weather deteriorate throughout the day, but management did not order an evacuation until water began flooding the parking lot and power went out. For some, that delay proved fatal. While the company insists it was monitoring the situation, workers tell a different story.
“They should’ve evacuated when we got the flash flood warnings, and when they saw the parking lot,” said Jacob Ingram, one of the survivors. Ingram, a mold changer at the factory, filmed himself and several colleagues stranded as their vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters. He later posted the videos on Facebook with the chilling caption: “Just wanna say I’m lucky to be alive.”
Ingram’s harrowing experience reflects a failure to take the warnings seriously. He described how he and his coworkers asked management if they should leave when they first received flash flood warnings, only to be told it wasn’t “bad enough” yet. Tragically, by the time the evacuation was ordered, the water had risen so high that driving away became nearly impossible.
One of Ingram’s colleagues, Robert Jarvis, also shared his frustration, telling News 5 WCYB that if the company had let them leave earlier, lives could have been saved. Jarvis attempted to escape in his car but quickly found himself trapped as water levels on the main road continued to rise. Fortunately, an off-road vehicle came to the rescue, saving him and others stranded by the floods.
After fleeing the factory, 11 workers found temporary safety on the back of a truck driven by a passerby. But even that was short-lived. The truck tipped over after being hit by debris, leaving the workers to fend for themselves in the raging waters. Ingram survived by clinging to plastic pipes that had been carried away by the flood. He and four others floated for nearly half a mile before finding refuge on a pile of debris.
Tragically, not everyone was so lucky. Two workers have been confirmed dead, both of whom were Mexican nationals. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition has stepped in to help the victims’ families, many of whom are raising funds to cover funeral expenses. Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, the organization’s executive director, said the loss is especially hard on immigrant families who are often left out of the spotlight during national disasters.
One of the victims, Bertha Mendoza, had been with her sister when the flooding began. The two became separated in the chaos, and Bertha did not survive. Her family posted a heartfelt tribute on GoFundMe, describing her as a beloved member of the community, church, and factory.
As the families of the missing and deceased mourn their losses, questions are mounting about the company’s response. Impact Plastics has maintained that it did its best to manage the situation, but workers’ testimonies paint a different picture. The delay in ordering an evacuation, despite clear warnings, has sparked outrage.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of great employees,” said company founder Gerald O’Connor in a statement, offering thoughts and prayers to the victims’ families. But for many, thoughts and prayers are not enough. There is a growing sense that this tragedy could have been avoided if the company had acted more quickly and decisively.
As search efforts continue in Tennessee and across other impacted states, Hurricane Helene’s death toll has climbed to over 150. Communities are struggling with the aftermath of the storm, dealing with a lack of electricity, running water, and basic necessities. Yet, for the families of those lost in the flood, the grief is compounded by the knowledge that their loved ones may have survived if better decisions had been made. In the midst of the devastation, the incident at Impact Plastics stands as a sobering reminder that in times of crisis, the safety and well-being of workers must always come first. This heartbreaking tragedy calls for accountability and action to prevent future disasters from claiming more lives.
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