Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has awarded a contract to remove debris from the state’s waterways following Hurricane Helene.
The state has selected Phillips & Jordan, Inc. as the primary vendor for the contract which will focus on removing debris from a number of waterways impacted by Helene.
Topping the list are portions of the Nolichucky River in Greene, Unicoi, and Washington counties and the French Broad River in Cocke County:
- Nolichucky River in Greene, Unicoi, and Washington counties
- French Broad River in Cocke County
- Pigeon River in Cocke County
- Watagua Lake and Tributaries
- Johnson County waterways
Helene left “massive amounts of debris—including trees, sediment, and man-made materials—across East Tennessee’s waterways. This accumulation threatens local ecosystems, increases the risk of further flooding, and hampers the use of water resources for communities and businesses,” the state reported.
The state expects the contract to start as soon as next week although the work will likely take several months to complete.
“Our rivers and streams are vital to the people of Tennessee, our tourism, commerce, and agriculture,” said Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Patrick C. Sheehan. “The debris created by Tropical Storm Helene poses serious risks to water quality, wildlife habitats, and the safety of our communities. This project is essential to restoring these natural resources and preventing future issues.”
