28-03-2025
‘Feels like it was yesterday' Newport businesses look back at Helene damage six months later
NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — It's been half a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through East Tennessee. Downtown Newport businesses are continuing to pick up the pieces.
The devastating storm struck in September 2024. Since then, businesses in Newport have been making a comeback. Some reopening and others bringing new energy into the community.
Cocke County still striving for a return to normal six months after Helene flooding
Flowers by Wilma, a staple in Newport for 50 years, is still recovering after an entire warehouse of inventory was damaged.
'We did have about three and a half foot of water in our warehouse, which houses all of our supplies. It was awful. It just broke our garage door, pushed everything out front, and it was just a hot mess. Now the interstate's back open and Newport downtown is ready to get this traffic for our local customers to come and see us,' said Candace Campbell, owner of Flowers by Wilma.
Amazing Grace Consignments opened its doors after the storm aiming to revitalize downtown. Owner Andrea Johnson shared she had to replace the floors after four feet of water flooded the building before they could open.
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'We want to bring more light to the town. We want to be the light. We want to be as helpful as we can be. And we're trying to give to groups around who have lost everything and are doing rehab centers or giving to them. And so we want everybody to be blessed. This community has really been together. They have really looked out for each other. Everybody gave what they could, whether it was our town, money, resources, the churches have all stepped up,' explained Johnson.
At Po Boys Stop Shop, the staff expresses their gratitude, noting that every day brings the community closer to full recovery.
'It was slow on us at first when the flood hit. But we have noticed businesses beginning to pick back up and we would like to say we appreciate everybody's supporting small business. I mean, that's all we are, just a little small business, but we've made it through it all,' said Phillip Bailey, Parttime Owner of Po Boys.'Yes, we're banding together. Yes, we are making some improvement, but we've got a long way to go,' added Campbell.
Five Tennessee roads remain closed six months after Helene as recovery continues
While many businesses are making progress, some couldn't recover from the loss and damaged caused by Helene and have closed their doors for good.
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