Management at a Tennessee plastics plant that was devastated by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene is facing fresh scrutiny after employees came forward to allege they were prevented from leaving the factory, resulting in several dead and missing workers.
Disaster unfolded on Friday, September 27, when Hurricane Helene brought torrential rain to Erwin, Tennessee, leading to rapid flooding inside the Impact Plastics facility.
Jacob Ingram, an employee of the company, recounted his harrowing experience during the flooding, stating that the people in charge rejected calls to evacuate, despite rising water levels.
"I didn't hear anyone say 'leave' or nothing like that. I actually asked one of the higher ups," Ingram told WVLT News. "They told me 'no, not yet.' They have to ask someone before we was able to leave, even though it was already above the doors and the cars and everything else."
Some employees were able to escape, but at least two have been confirmed dead, and at least six others remain missing.
In response to the allegations, the company issued a statement expressing condolences but maintained that employees were dismissed in a timely manner once they became aware of how critical the situation was.
"The company continued to monitor weather conditions," the statement read. "When water began to cover the parking lot and the adjacent service road, and the plant lost power, employees were dismissed by management to return to their homes in time for them to escape the industrial park. At no time were employees told that they would be fired if they left the facility. For employees who were non-English speaking, bi-lingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message."
Ingram remains adamant that is not what happened, and that employees were instructed to stay put even after the plant lost power.
"No. The plant lost power, and we were still not to go home or leave," Ingram told the news station. "We were still there 15 to 20 minutes after the plant lost power."
The company has reportedly not reached out to employees since the incident took place. An investigation into the incident has yet to be formally announced.
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