Commentary: After Hurricane Helene, Tennesseans Are Meeting Their Neighbors Where They Are

On the north bank of the Nolichucky River in Telford, Tennessee, sits Plum Grove. Between 1796 and 1801, the property served as the home of Tennessee’s first governor and founding father, John Sevier, who became a national hero after leading a band of volunteers from Washington County into battle during the Revolutionary War. 

More than two centuries later, that same Volunteer Spirit is alive and well, especially at Plum Grove. In the weeks following Hurricane Helene’s devastation, the historic farm has transformed into a hub for volunteers and first responders helping those in need. In the aftermath of the flooding, friends and neighbors coordinated to deliver water, food, and other essentials to the farm. From there, volunteers worked to distribute the supplies, especially to hard-to-reach communities that were isolated because of road closures and bridge collapses.

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