Hurricane Helene Flooding Kills Six Factory Workers in Tennessee
The catastrophic storm, the deadliest in the U.S. since Katrina, claimed over 220 lives, including workers trapped by rising waters at an inland plastics factory.
- Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding across the U.S., killing at least 221 people, many in inland areas previously considered less vulnerable to severe weather.
- Sibrina Barnett, one of six workers who died at Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tennessee, was trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters while at work.
- Factory workers reportedly relied on management for warnings about outside dangers, but some claim they were not dismissed until conditions became dire.
- Litigation and investigations have been launched into the factory’s response, with allegations of inadequate safety measures and delayed evacuations.
- The tragedy highlights the growing risk of extreme weather events in inland regions as climate change intensifies storm impacts.
Associated Press 
Boston Globe 