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BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Organizations and emergency management agency directors from three flood-stricken counties in the region were honored as Bristol Motor Speedway Neighborhood Heroes Saturday night for their work during and after Hurricane Helene.
A release from BMS said several individuals and two organizations were recognized on stage before the Bass Pro Shops Night Race kicked off at BMS.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP), Virginia State Police (VSP) Aviation Division in Abingdon, and EMA directors for Sullivan, Washington and Greene counties were named BMS Neighborhood Heroes.
“All of these groups and individuals made such an amazing impact one year ago when the stakes were high and our friends and family members across the region were in trouble and hurting following Hurricane Helene’s overwhelming flooding throughout Eastern Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and Western North Carolina,” Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of BMS, said in the release.
“We are so proud to recognize tonight’s BMS Neighborhood Heroes for the Tri-Cities region comprised of our friends at the Appalachian Service Project, the Aviation Division of the Virginia State Police and our dedicated emergency management agency directors from Sullivan, Washington and Greene counties. We will forever be indebted to these heroes for their leadership, commitment and undying dedication in a time of unprecedented crisis.”
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Appalachia Service Project, with team members Melisa Winburn, Matt Akins and Tyler Rhodes. -
Trio of regional emergency management directors including Jim Bean of Sullivan County, Heather Sipe of Greene County and Evan Clyburn of Washington County. -
Virginia State Police Helicopter rescue team that responded to Unicoi Hospital during Helene flooding. They include John Ratliff, Jeffrey Bush and Jake Culp. -
TDOT team members Camren Yarberry (left) and Michael Dick
Along with EMA directors, ASP and VSP Aviation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) was a state agency named a BMS Neighborhood Hero.
TDOT worked to reopen several major routes across Northeast Tennessee, including Interstate 26 in Erwin and numerous washed-out bridges on highways in Washington County.
“We can’t thank the Tennessee Department of Transportation enough for all that they do,” Caldwell said in the release. “Their efforts to rebuild following Hurricane Helene are monumental. But what they do to keep our roadways clear and safe on a daily basis is often overlooked and we are so grateful for their services and proud to shine a bright light on what they do by honoring them as a BMS Neighborhood Hero at tonight’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race.”
