Almost two weeks ago, flood waters brought on by Tropical Storm Helene swept through the small rural town of Roan Mountain, in Carter County. It’s a small community of just under 1,000 people, right on the Doe River.
There’s two gas stations, a Dollar General, and a few mom and pop stores. But there’s also about a dozen churches.
One of those churches, St. John Freewill Baptist, was devastated by the flooding. The typically shallow, 8 inch deep waters of the Doe River poured over their banks and in less than 24 hours had advanced 400 feet beyond its bank, up a steep hill, and flooded the church.
“People really don't actually understand till you see the devastation of people's homes just washed away in these rushing waters,” said Richard Sheppard, the pastor of the church. “We lost our pianos, we lost the pews. We’ve still got to have it [all] checked out.”
Mud is caked on the floors, and the smell of mold lingers in the air. Volunteers move in and out of the building, working to strip out soaked drywall and flooring. Sheppard said the waters were about 4 feet high in the church.
“It’s absolutely been a struggle trying to get back,” Sheppard said. “But we’ve had a lot of people come by. And right now, our biggest need is just gonna be financial need. It’s probably gonna take $200,000, at least, to get started back to where we need to be.”
As communities all across East Tennessee work to rebuild, churches have emerged as essential institutions, providing hope and a sense of community during a challenging time.
Several churches have partnered with county governments to act as overnight shelters for those who have been displaced. Dozens more have transformed their parking lots and fellowship halls into aid distribution centers, where people in need can get food and water.
One such church is River’s Edge Fellowship of God, in Elizabethton. It’s about 15 miles up the highway from St. John Freewill Baptist. Serena Miller is the director of the Loaves and Fishes ministry, which provides food, clothes and essential goods to those in need.
“We're just helping anybody that needs it,” Miller said. “So they just come talk to us, tell us what they need. We [have] cleaning supplies, hygiene, clothes, diapers, dog food, cat food, water, you know, you name it. We've probably got it.”
The church was damaged by the floodwaters, and required about a week of cleaning. But Miller says the kitchen and pantry was spared, and they were able to re-open their ministry’s doors to flood victims and those in need earlier this week.
“I know that this is a miracle,” Miller said. “God has really blessed us. I know that he’s got his hand on this ministry, and we’re just gonna work for him as long as we can … that’s just what we do.”
Their parking lot looks like a yard sale, with tables covered in clothes, cleaning supplies, first aid kits, and other essentials. There's pallets of bottled water off to the side, and volunteers distribute non-perishable foods from a window. They even serve hot meals during the evenings. Miller said they served over 100 families on Monday alone.
“We're just blessed,” Miller said. “I mean, when you say blessed beyond measure, this is literally it. You cannot measure the blessings that have been bestowed upon us through this week.”
Back at St. John Freewill Baptist, Sheppard and his church aren’t in good enough shape to provide food and shelter to others. But their community has stepped up to help all the same.
“It’s up in the hundreds of people that come to give a helping hand, to bring a meal,” Sheppard said. “The people that have been the most helpful are just neighbor helping neighbor, you know, pulling together to try to claw out of this stuff.”
