Erwin Flood Recovery

      On September 27th, our area was devastated by major flooding and wind damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The Nolichucky River that runs through portions of Unicoi County and near the Town of Erwin rose to historically high levels resulting in catastophic damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure like power, water, and communication lines. Tragically, 8 local residents died, and several lost homes or jobs.

Here is a video showing one of the most significant areas of damage at exit 40 onf I-26



      Soon after the disaster, many people and organizations began working on rescue, relief and recovery efforts. Our church property and the majority of our church family was not significantly damaged or impacted directly so we have primarily been joining those efforts to help others. Funds donated to us and people offering to volunteer will likely be pointed towards one of the following organizations that we have been closely working with since the time of the flood.


Unicoi County Care & Share

344 Carolina Avenue, Erwin, TN 37650

(423) 735-0770

This local benevolence ministry has played a key role in relief and recovery efforts from the very beginning. The Executive Director, Ben Booher, is one of our elders and we already regularly supported this ministry with financial and physical donations as well as volunteers prior to the flood. They will continue to be a key resources in the community that we support in the future.

For a time after the flood our church served as an overflow donation storage location for this ministry and was able to re-supply them as needed with clothing, linens, blankets, kitchen items, toys, and other miscellaneous items that were donated. At this time we have concluded this work and all donations should be coordinated directly with Care & Share.

To coordinate volunteering or financial gifts, please contact Ben Booher at (423) 735-0770

Unicoi County Long-Term Recovery Group

We are proud to be one of the founding members of a new group in Unicoi County focused on the long-term recovery efforts in our community. This group is working to bring together local organizations, businesses and volunteers to provide coordinated recovery efforts for those impacted by disaster.

Initially, the focus will be on the most recent disaster related to Helene, but this group will remain an asset for coordinated response to any future incidents as well. Current partners include representatives from First Tennessee Development District, United Way, United Way of East TN Highlands, RISE Erwin, Unicoi County Care & Share, Unicoi County Economic & Community Development, Holston Habitat For Humanity, Centenary United Methodist Church, Unicoi Christian Church, First Christian Church of Erwin, FEMA, and UMCOR. Other partners are likely to join the effort in the future.

Appalachian Christian Camp

512 Cross Circle, Unicoi, TN 37692

(423) 743-3910

Appalachian Christian Camp has largely returned to normal operations at this time, but played a significant role in the initial relief efforts. This local Christian camp facility cancelled all scheduled retreats and opened up their facility to provide lodging, power, water, and internet service to displaced families as well as first responders and volunteer workers who have come to the area to help.

Read more here: https://wcyb.com/news/local/appalachian-christian-camp-transforms-into-haven-for-helene-victims

Duing that time our church provided some volunteer support and supplied resources to the camp as needed. While the camp was happy to help the community in a time of need, they did take on some added expenses while also losing retreat income they depend on. If you feel compelled to give to their ministry in appreciation for who they are and what they do and what they sacrificed to serve others, please do so.

To support the camp’s work financially, use this link: https://campacc.com/sections/support/donate/

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES)

For many years we have faithfully supported the work of IDES in a variety of places. In February of 2024 our youth group fasted for 24 hours and raised money for some of the work they are doing around the world to help people in Jesus name, with no idea that our community would need the support of IDES ourselves just a few months later.

IDES initially came to our area helping with immediate relief efforts by setting up at First Christian Church in Elizabethton. From there they sent work groups and support throughout our area, including to some of the hardest hit areas in and around Erwin. More recently, they have partnered with Boones Creek Christian Church, especially at their Union campus, to assist in recovery efforts with their shed building ministry. Some members of our church and local community have participated in that work.

If you would like to join one of their volunteer teams, you can sign up on their website at this link: https://ides.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

If you would like to support the work of IDES financially, you can donate here: https://givebutter.com/HurricaneResponse

Partner Churches Who Have Donated Resources To Us

The following churches have graciously reached out to us and provided some additional resources and support during the recovery efforts. Several others have also offered help that we have had to turn down or direct elsewhere due to our limited space and capacity to manage what they had to offer. We thank them all for their generosity!

As other opportunities to help arise in the future we will post updates.

Last update: 2/20/25