Bertha Mendoza, a 56-year-old worker at an Impact Plastics plant in Tennessee, made a heartbreaking final call to her husband of 38 years before being trapped by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene. Her body was subsequently found, making her one of three people confirmed dead. Meanwhile, 10 individuals remain missing, sparking frustration among relatives of the workers who claim they have not been adequately consulted during search efforts. Survivors from the plant spoke out against the company for failing to warn them of the dangers of the flooding. The tragedy has had a significant impact on Erwin’s Latino community, highlighting the need for better emergency response systems and outreach efforts for immigrant families.
Following the disaster, officials faced criticism for not involving the Latino community in search efforts and failing to return belongings to families. Responding to these concerns, authorities apologized for the oversight and committed to better including the community going forward. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee emphasized the need for a caring and inclusive response to the tragedy. Impact Plastics, the company where the workers were employed, claimed that they were allowed to leave on time and denied making threats of termination. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not provided specific information regarding the company’s response during the hurricane. Amidst the tragedy, families of missing workers cling to hope while grappling with immense loss and uncertainty.
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