Bishop Mark Beckman, Bishop of Knoxville in East Tennessee (United States), a diocese that was greatly affected by Hurricane Helene, told EWTN News Nightly that the “devastation” of the hurricane has created many physical, financial and emotional needs.
Hurricane Helene made landfall last week, passing through several states in the southeastern United States, destroying everything in its path. The storm killed more than 200 people and hundreds of people have been reported missing. This hurricane was the deadliest storm to reach the country’s mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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The Category 4 storm also left millions of people without power and hundreds of thousands in flooded areas.
Flooding is particularly affecting East Tennessee. State authorities have issued a warningurging the public to avoid contact with bodies of water affected by the floods, as they could be contaminated.
“I would say the most affected areas are the northeastern part of our diocese, near the mountains, where most of the rain fell,” Bishop Beckman told EWTN News Nightly host Tracy Sabol on Thursday.
“Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit some of the most affected communities: Erwin, Tennessee, was one of the most heavily impacted areas. I was able to see some of the damage firsthand, but also meet some of the people affected, as well as many of the volunteers who are helping right now,” the bishop explained.
Bishop Beckman noted that the response from the faithful in the diocese “has been absolutely incredible.”
“Our Catholic Charities on the ground have really helped with the material needs of those communities. I have seen the volunteers working and all the supplies gathered and stored in that area,” he said.
When asked about how people are processing the tragedy, the bishop said there is a great emotional impact.
“Spiritual and emotional needs are significant. And I’ll tell you, the first group of people I met was a group of people who were trapped in the flooding that occurred at the factory in Erwin, Tennessee,” said Bishop Beckman.
“And there is a lot of pain, a lot of sadness. I think those who survived are probably feeling some of that survivor trauma. And there are still people missing,” he added.
An investigation is currently underway following the disappearance of 11 factory workers Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tennessee, who were dragged because of the floods. At least two people died and five more are still missing. Several employees have said they were not allowed to leave in time to escape the flooding.
Bishop Beckman noted that authorities in Erwin are searching for a large number of missing people in that area.
“The remaining family members are very distraught,” he said. “So I think the most important spiritual and emotional support we could provide was just being present. And we pray with them. We listened to them, (we had) the opportunity to spend some time helping them express what they are feeling right now.”
When asked what the community’s greatest needs are, Bishop Beckman said there are many basic needs unmet, and the financial impact will grow in the coming weeks.
“The first need that immediately arose was water, drinking water, and that has certainly been met in an enormous and abundant way. “We saw a lot of water bottles in that area,” he said. “Many people still do not have electricity or good communication. Many have lost their homes. “Some people will need assistance with family burials.”
“The needs will encompass things we often take for granted, especially if people’s homes were flooded,” Bishop Beckman continued. “And it will be a while before some of those people can go back to work. So I am sure that financial needs will increase in the coming weeks.”
When asked how people can help, the bishop highlighted that awareness, support and prayer are key.
“The most important thing is raising awareness about what is happening, so that people know that they are not forgotten,” he commented.
The storm has caused devastation in much of the US, especially in North Carolina, neighboring Tennessee, Bishop Beckman noted. Amid the “devastation,” the bishop said he is grateful to see the generosity of the people.
“There are national organizations that are helping to support the reconstruction efforts. And, of course, the support in prayer, knowing that they are not alone,” he added.
Finally, he maintained that “sometimes we forget that each of these people has their own individual stories, and each of them was unexpectedly caught in the remnants of the storm.” “So it’s about learning to accompany people where they are at this particular moment,” he concluded.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Kate Quinones
Kate Quiñones is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and a member of College Fix. He has publications in the Wall Street Journal, the Denver Catholic Register and CatholicVote. He graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.