JOHNSON CITY — The remnants of Hurricane Helene unleashed devastating floods across Appalachia and East Tennessee one year ago, but the storm still rages for many. News crews have long since departed, but the quiet, persistent work of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers continues far from the spotlight, helping people rebuild and recover. “Over 500 homes were destroyed and another three or 400 homes were damaged bad enough that they

MOUNTAIN CITY — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief stepped in with bridge repair and swift water rescue operations after Hurricane Helene destroyed thousands of private bridges and driveways across Tennessee, leaving families stranded on their own property. Leading both efforts is Dale Moles, a 70-year-old retired concrete plant owner from Mooresburg who jokes, “I still think I’m only 40.” Don Owen, director of God’s Warehouse Ministries with the Nolachucky Baptist Association,

NEWPORT — Though not a spokesperson for Cocke Countians who lost their homes and possessions due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, many no doubt would agree with the sentiments expressed by Valentina Ryzhkov. “If it weren’t for the church people, we’d never returned to our business or home,” she said. Valentina and her husband, Oleg, are a Russian couple who have owned Grill 73, a restaurant on Highway 73

Knox County DR team shows ‘staying power’ in Del Rio area DEL RIO — Hurricane Helene left behind more than just watermarks on kitchen walls and silt-caked living rooms. It left individuals grappling with homelessness and isolation. For the Knox County Baptist Association, the disaster became a calling that has stretched nearly a year and counting. “Whoever expected a hurricane to affect Upper East Tennessee?” said Stanley Roach, who has

CHUCKEY — Gene Cole’s adult life has been defined by responding to disasters, and he plans to continue that mission for as long as he can. Cole, a Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) volunteer from True Light Church in Jamestown, Tenn., is leading a team in a rebuild project in East Tennessee to help a family whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s high winds and flooding. Since early 2025,

FRANKLIN — Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee, the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief has mobilized extensive resources to rebuild communities across the region. TBDR has deployed 462 disaster relief teams that logged more than 33,552 volunteer hours since Jan. 1, 2025, in East Tennessee, according to data from Garry Maddox, Arise and Build coordinator for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. The relief efforts have reached 862 families