Schools across the state have been stepping up to provide assistance for flood relief efforts in East Tennessee, following flooding from Hurricane Helene that left at least 15 people dead and many others homeless throughout the region. ¶
Knox County Schools is among the districts that are pitching in. The district recently joined regional efforts to provide surrounding communities with donations such as bottled water and canned food, as well as materials for cleanup and rescue efforts like ropes, duct tape, and flashlights.¶
Knox County Schools Director Dr. Jon Rysewyk said in a recent board meeting that the district felt compelled to assist relief efforts after discussing the impact of the hurricane with school leaders and learning of the devastation in areas like Cocke County, which was hit particularly hard by flooding.¶
“KCS will be proactively supporting the work of cleanup and restoration so our neighbors can maintain their academic mission even in the wake of this tragedy,” he said.¶
Meanwhile, in Washington County Schools, district leaders told Johnson City Press last week that Lamar Elementary School, David Crockett High School, and South Central Elementary are being used as shelters and headquarters for emergency response teams to organize relief efforts. The district has been working closely with Washington County Emergency Management, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies to provide additional support, according to district leaders.¶
The school district also offered curbside meals to local residents in need at Boones Creek Elementary, Daniel Boone High School, David Crokett High School, and Jonesborough Elementary School.¶
In neighboring Elizabethton City Schools, district leaders say many families have been impacted significantly, with many losing their homes from the flooding. The district closed schools through Oct. 14, which extended school closures past the planned fall break from Oct. 7-11. The district also set up a shelter at Elizabethton High School immediately after the disaster, with the help of the American Red Cross. That shelter has since relocated from Elizabethton High School to Hunter First Baptist Church.¶
In Carter County Schools, officials say Hampton High School was the only school to experience major damage from the flooding. The board recently voted to spend $300,000 for cleanup and restoration at Hampton. In addition, the district joined local efforts to pull together resources for students and families most impacted by the flooding and free hot meals.¶
According to a report this week from the Lebanon Democrat, Wilson County Schools recently donated supplies to families in Northeast Tennessee, such as first aid kits, diapers, toilet paper, canned food, body wipes, pet supplies, can openers, flashlights, bleach, detergent, batteries, towels, generators, plastic totes, trash bags, toiletries, tarps, bottled water, pillows, warm blankets, baby items, non-perishable foods, tools for clean-up, and feminine supplies.¶
District leaders said those donations went to Carter County and Johnson County Schools, where some of the most damage from the flooding occurred.¶
"We're blessed in this county, and I think it's time that we give back and not forget our neighbors,” Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell said in the report.¶