Knoxville TN, September 25, 2025
News Summary
WBIR 10News has launched a podcast titled ‘Behind the Headline,’ focusing on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The third episode dives deep into the ongoing recovery efforts in East Tennessee, highlighting personal stories from residents affected by the catastrophic flooding. Janet Sams shares her challenges in rebuilding her home, while the community shows resilience through collective support. The podcast serves as a vital resource for understanding the lasting effects of the storm and the rebuilding process.
Knoxville, Tennessee— WBIR 10News has introduced a new weekly podcast, titled “Behind the Headline,” aimed at providing depth and context to significant stories affecting East Tennessee. The podcast, which is accessible every Wednesday on WBIR+, has released its third episode focusing on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a devastating storm that caused catastrophic flooding across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
The episode details the long-lasting impact of Hurricane Helene, with communities still feeling its effects nearly a year after the disaster. Through narrative accounts from journalists, listeners can explore the extensive damage and the progress made during the recovery phase.
Among the stories featured, Janet Sams, a resident of River Street, shared her personal experience of having her home destroyed and the subsequent challenges of rebuilding it on stilts with assistance from God’s Pit Crew. Cocke County emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas, with significant structural changes now required for homes situated in flood zones. These homes must be built on stilts above the base flood elevation to comply with updated building codes enforced in the aftermath of the flooding.
Gary Carver, the Community Development Director for Newport, emphasized the importance of adherence to these codes, especially when the damage to a home exceeds 50% of its value. Some residents, such as Melanie Coffey, have opted to relocate entirely due to ongoing anxiety about potential future floods.
The community has demonstrated resilience and unity, with neighbors stepping up to support each other in the reconstruction efforts spurred by the flooding. An event commemorating the one-year anniversary of the flooding is planned in Newport, where community members will discuss progress and current recovery status.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) played a critical role in alleviating the impact of the flooding through proactive management of water levels prior to the hurricane. Their actions are estimated to have prevented over $406 million in damages in East Tennessee during Hurricane Helene. Record rainfall affected the Nolichucky River, which flows into TVA’s Douglas Lake, raising concerns regarding dam stability.
The TVA operates 29 dams designed for flood control, all of which have maintained a perfect operational record. Following the hurricane, TVA completed minor repairs on some dams, with one dam experiencing unprecedented flow levels and a swift response from the staff during the emergency. In contrast, several other dams in North Carolina experienced failures during the storm, highlighting the effectiveness of TVA’s infrastructure in the disaster.
The “Behind the Headline” podcast serves as a resource to keep the community informed about ongoing recovery efforts and to amplify the stories of resilience from those affected by Hurricane Helene.
FAQ
What is the title of the new podcast launched in Knoxville, Tennessee?
The podcast is titled “Behind the Headline.”
What does the podcast focus on in its third episode?
The third episode focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which led to catastrophic flooding in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
What is the significance of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s actions during Hurricane Helene?
Their efforts are estimated to have prevented over $406 million in damages in East Tennessee during Hurricane Helene.
What are the requirements for homes in flood zones after Hurricane Helene?
Homes in flood zones are required to be built on stilts above the base flood elevation.
Key Features of the Podcast
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Podcast Title | Behind the Headline |
| Release Schedule | Every Wednesday |
| Focus of Third Episode | Aftermath of Hurricane Helene |
| Significant Impact | Catastrophic flooding in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina |
| Community Resilience | Support among neighbors and local organizations |
| TVA’s Impact | Prevented over $406 million in damages |
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Newport Neighbors – Devastating Floods One Year After Hurricane Helene
- Knox News: TVA Dams Held Up in Hurricane Helene
- WBIR: TVA Reflects on Efforts During Hurricane Helene
- Garden & Gun: Discovering Seeds of Hope in Hurricane Helene’s Ruinous Wake
- WATE: Tennessee Researchers Study Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Local Farms
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
- Google Search: Hurricane Helene Impact East Tennessee
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene Recovery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- Google News: Hurricane Helene Flooding
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
