### Tragic Loss in Tennessee: Families Seek Answers After Hurricane Helene Devastates Plastics Plant

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Elías Ibarra Mendoza recalls the final words of his beloved wife, Bertha Mendoza, before she was engulfed by the furious floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. The 56-year-old grandmother, along with ten other employees, was caught in the tumultuous deluge after attempting to escape from the Impact Plastics facility in Erwin, Tennessee. Unfortunately, only five of them were rescued.

Impact Plastics has come under intense scrutiny from the families of the victims and former employees who accuse the company of compelling workers to stay during the extreme weather. Some claim they were not allowed to leave even as warnings of heavy rainfall saturated the flood-prone region. Contrary to these assertions, the company firmly states that all employees were instructed to leave at least 45 minutes before the floodwaters ravaged the area.

This discrepancy has prompted dual investigations by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration. As both state agencies delve into the circumstances surrounding the fatalities, the anguish among the families of the missing intensifies. Communities remain crippled by the destruction, struggling with shortages of essential supplies like food, water, and electricity.

Hurricane Helene's wrath spanned over 500 miles, leaving a trail of devastation from Florida to the Southern Appalachians. Early reports indicate that more than 200 lives have been claimed by the hurricane, with officials wary that this number might rise as rescue and relief operations press on. The challenges faced extend beyond the Impact Plastics plant, affecting hospitals and local infrastructure.

The discord between the company's narrative and that of the employees is stark. While Impact Plastics asserts that the parking lot water levels were manageable and employees were released promptly, compelling stories from workers paint a different picture. One employee recounts being denied permission to leave despite visible flooding, and another describes a harrowing scene where half a building succumbed to the floodwaters.

In a public response, the company claimed that their management team evacuated last, 45 minutes after the initial dismissal of the workforce. Yet, numerous public warnings from the National Weather Service had been issued before the start of the fatal shift, alerting the area to the imminent floods. The company maintains that no employee was trapped or perished on its premises, reiterating the measures taken for employees’ safety.

The family of Bertha Mendoza, who had just celebrated her 56th birthday, is left grappling with their loss and planning an unexpected funeral. Their grief mirrors the larger community’s sorrow and the pressing quest for clarity and accountability in the aftermath of this devastating event.