Erwin's Hispanic Community Mourns Factory Workers Lost in Devastating Flood
Six workers vanished in a flood at an Erwin, Tennessee plastics factory during Hurricane Helene. The tragedy has particularly impacted the town's growing Hispanic community, raising questions about worker safety and emergency response.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the small Appalachian town of Erwin, Tennessee, is grappling with a devastating loss. Six workers from a local plastics factory disappeared when floodwaters engulfed the facility on September 27, 2024. This tragedy has particularly affected Erwin's Hispanic community, which comprises a significant portion of the factory's workforce.
Erwin, with a population of approximately 6,000, has seen its Hispanic population grow from 3.8% to 8% over the past decade. The town, situated along the Nolichucky River, experienced unprecedented flooding during the hurricane. The river, typically 2 feet deep, swelled to a record 30 feet, with a flow rate twice that of Niagara Falls.
The disaster has raised serious questions about worker safety and emergency preparedness. Two state investigations have been launched into Impact Plastics, the company operating the factory, to determine if adequate measures were taken to protect employees as the danger escalated.
Gerald O'Connor, President of Impact Plastics, stated that workers were not forced to continue working and were evacuated at least 45 minutes before the flood hit. However, survivors dispute this claim, arguing that the evacuation began too late.
The missing workers include Monica Hernandez, Lidia Verdugo, Bertha Mendoza, Rosy Reynoso, Sibrina Barnett, and Johnny Peterson. Four of the six are Mexican American, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the Hispanic community.
Families and community members have been holding vigils and prayer services for the missing workers. At Saint Michael The Archangel, a local church with a predominantly Hispanic congregation, people gather to comfort each other and share traditional Mexican pozole.
The tragedy has also exposed challenges in emergency response for non-English speaking residents. There was initial frustration over the lack of translators and Spanish-speaking personnel on missing persons hotlines. Ana Gutierrez, an organizer with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, has been assisting affected families and voiced their concerns about these issues.
Despite the heartbreak, the disaster has brought the community together. Glenn White, Erwin's mayor, expressed being moved by the solidarity shown between Hispanic and white residents during vigils and support efforts.
The cemetery next to Saint Michael church, with its Spanish-engraved tombstones, stands as a testament to the growing integration of Hispanic residents in Erwin. As the community mourns, it also reflects on the lives built by immigrants in this small Tennessee town.
"People didn't have to die at the place where they work."
As Erwin begins the long process of recovery, the focus remains on finding the missing workers and supporting their families. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety and inclusive emergency planning in an increasingly diverse America.
