In Erwin, Tennessee, Hurricane Helene left behind more than just flooded streets. The workers at Impact Plastics were told to stay put, even as water started pouring in. Bertha Mendoza, 56, had just enough time to call her husband and kids before the flood took her life. She was one of many who couldn't escape.
Guillermo Mendoza still remembers that day vividly. "We were freaking out," he said. "The water came so fast, and we didn't know what to do." His mother, Bertha, was among the immigrants who had come to America for a better life, but instead found tragedy in their new home.
Erwin's Latino community has been hit hard. Many of those lost were immigrants, which has sparked important conversations about emergency responses and immigrant safety. The plant's management is under fire for not warning workers sooner, and people are still waiting for answers from the authorities.
