During the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a tragic event unfolded at an Impact Plastics facility in Erwin, Tennessee. Bertha Mendoza, a 56-year-old worker at the plant, made a final call to her husband before she was trapped by floodwaters and later found dead. The incident left three people dead and ten missing, causing anguish and frustration among family members of the workers.
Survivors, such as Robbie Jarvis, criticized the company for not warning employees properly and allowing them to stay at work as the floodwaters rose. Family members expressed their displeasure at officials’ handling of the search and rescue operation, feeling that they were not being adequately consulted or informed about the situation.
The tragedy struck hard at Erwin’s Latino community, of which many of the workers were members. Concerned about the lack of outreach and support for immigrant families, community advocates demanded more inclusive and culturally sensitive response efforts from emergency services and local officials.
During a news conference, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee addressed questions and acknowledged the need to better engage with the Latino community. Impact Plastics released a statement saying workers were allowed to leave on time and denying allegations that they were threatened with job loss if they chose to leave. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
Relatives of missing workers continue to grieve and search for answers as they seek closure and accountability for the loss of their loved ones in the devastating flood.
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