Tennessee Plastics Factory Under Scrutiny Following Hurricane-Related Worker Deaths

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods, a Tennessee plastics factory faces intense scrutiny after 11 workers were swept away. The incident has sparked a heated debate over workplace safety during extreme weather events, with conflicting accounts emerging from the company and its employees.

The tragedy unfolded at Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tennessee, where floodwaters trapped workers inside. Of the 11 employees on duty, five were rescued, two confirmed dead, and four remain missing. This occurred as Hurricane Helene carved a 500-mile path of destruction across the southern United States, severely damaging infrastructure and displacing numerous communities.

Victims’ families are calling for accountability, alleging that workers were required to stay on the job despite severe weather warnings. Some claim employees were denied permission to leave as conditions worsened. Impact Plastics, however, maintains that no one was forced to remain at work during the storm.

The families of the deceased, including 56-year-old Elías Ibarra Mendoza and Monica Hernandez, are seeking answers and justice. Their outcry has prompted an investigation into the company’s actions leading up to and during the disaster.