NEWPORT, Tenn. ( WATE ) — It’s been half a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through East Tennessee. Downtown Newport businesses are continuing to pick up the pieces.
The devastating storm struck in September 2024. Since then, businesses in Newport have been making a comeback. Some reopening and others bringing new energy into the community.
Cocke County still striving for a return to normal six months after Helene flooding
Flowers by Wilma, a staple in Newport for 50 years, is still recovering after an entire warehouse of inventory was damaged.
“We did have about three and a half foot of water in our warehouse, which houses all of our supplies. It was awful. It just broke our garage door, pushed everything out front, and it was just a hot mess. Now the interstate’s back open and Newport downtown is ready to get this traffic for our local customers to come and see us,” said Candace Campbell, owner of Flowers by Wilma…