Greeneville without water due to storm damage
(WJHL) – The pumping station that supplies water to the majority of Greene County was damaged due to Hurricane Helene, leaving thousands in the county without water.
"There's no water in the Greeneville water system," Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty said.
Greene County's Highway 107 Kinser Bridge collapses into Nolichucky
Doty spent Sunday evening with volunteers handing out cases of water at the Greeneville Municipal Airport.
He said the plan is to install new pumps, but that process could take time. The goal is get residents water back within the next week, according to Doty. However, that timeframe could be shorter or longer depending on several circumstances.
"There's eight pumps coming in that will be put into the river as soon as we get down there," Doty said. "Because of the flood, there's sludge and other things where they're having to try to get down to the pumphouse."
Greeneville City Manager Todd Smith said volunteers from across the region are working tirelessly to provide Greeneville with water.
"We looked at the videos of all the destruction and devastation we saw on Friday and Saturday, and you think you're defeated," Smith said. "Today, you see the people come out and support the community and you know that you've won."
As the process to restore water continues, Doty reminded residents to stay patient.
"We are where we are, so be kind to your neighbors," Doty said.
The Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security listed five place as water distribution sites:
Marathon at Erwin Highway, 3685 Erwin Highway, Greeneville, TN
Camp Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 2136 Camp Creek Road, Greeneville, TN
South Greene High School, 7469 Asheville Highway, Greeneville, TN
Caney Branch Volunteer Fire Department, 11423 Newport Highway, Greeneville, TN
SEPTER, 1230 Pottertown Road, Greeneville, TN
The Greeneville Municipal Airport, 246 Airport Road, Greeneville, TN
Those choosing the airport location will need to come in from Highway 11E, to Baileyton Access Ramp, to Whitehouse Road onto Airport Road.
A Greeneville Police Department Officer will check your identification for Greene County residency at Whitehouse Road and Airport Road. If you recently moved to Greene County and don't have a new identification showing residency, you need to provide a utility bill showing your service address in Greene County.
The sites will be in operation each week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise advised.
