Cocke County Rises: Community Celebrates One Year of Recovery with "Roots and Reins"

One year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, more than 1,000 residents gathered at the Cocke County Fairgrounds for "Roots and Reins," a free community celebration that honored the county's remarkable resilience and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

The event, which ran nearly seven hours, brought together families, first responders and community organizations in a powerful display of unity — a testament to how far this community of 37,000 has come since the disaster damaged 200 properties across the county.

"We wanted to throw a no-cost event that acknowledged the disaster but showcased how far we've come and honored those who came together to support our county in our time of greatest need," said LaTisha Raulston-Sloderbeck, Volunteer Coordinator for the Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group and a key organizer of the event. "We also wanted to get the word out about services that are still available to our residents and survivors."

A Grassroots Effort, A Community Reclaiming Control

The event's name itself tells a story of resilience and determination. "Roots is about recognizing where we've come from and that the recovery is a grassroots effort," Raulston-Sloderbeck said. "Reins was about taking control of the guidance of our future as a county going forward."

That symbolism wasn't lost on attendees, such as Fire Chief Bryan Southerland of the Cocke County Fire Department, who watched children climb through rescue vehicles at the "Touch a Truck" Emergency Responder Rally.

"We responded to so many calls during Helene and saw so much devastation," Southerland said. "To see these same families here today, smiling and celebrating — it reminds us why we do what we do."

The afternoon kicked off with family-friendly activities including face painting, Kiwanis train rides and giant inflatables that drew squeals of delight from young attendees. Eric Henderson of Mountain Carvings mesmerized crowds with a live chainsaw carving demonstration, transforming raw timber into art before their eyes. It was a fitting metaphor for the community's own transformation over the past year.

ETSU Students Document Stories of Survival and Rebuilding

Among the booths dotting the event grounds, one drew particularly thoughtful engagement: East Tennessee State University Media and Communication students had set up a sign-up table, encouraging attendees to volunteer for recorded listening sessions where they could share their Hurricane Helene experiences.

The initiative serves to both document and draw attention to the successful rebuilding efforts throughout the county including stories of neighbors helping neighbors, innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges and the countless small victories that have accumulated into substantial progress. They will then take what they’ve learned and bring it back to the community in forms of accessible media such a zines and articles, creating a symbiotic loop of civic action and journalism.

"We've heard incredible stories today," said one ETSU student volunteer. "But we're also identifying people who are still struggling, who maybe fell through the cracks or don't know where to turn. This is about making sure everyone gets the help they need to fully recover."

For Raulston-Sloderbeck, capturing these narratives is crucial.

"In our modern 24-hour news cycle, people have short attention spans," she said. "We are still only one year away from the most complex natural disaster in the history of the United States. Our county was not the only one affected in East Tennessee, but these stories are our history and help to frame the narrative of why we are still in the recovery phase."

“My biggest success moment was being pulled aside by a family that hadn't reached out for help yet and connecting them with our team of case managers," Raulston-Sloderbeck added. "They lost their entire farm and had been trying to make it on their own. It was gut-wrenching hearing their story."

That moment encapsulated one of the event's most important missions. "Residents of Cocke County are fiercely independent people, as a rule, and one of our biggest and most important aims is to let folks know that they are not alone," she said. "We don't want anyone left behind or forgotten."

Rodeo Brings the Thunder

As the evening descended, the energy shifted dramatically with the New Pickens Rodeo taking center stage. Bull riding, mutton busting, barrel racing and roping demonstrations had the crowd on their feet while rodeo clowns kept spirits high and children entertained. Meanwhile, Miss Rodeo Tennessee, Kaylee Lentz-Zierer, posed for countless photos with starstruck fans.

"After everything this county has been through, they deserve a night like this," said paramedic Sarah Whitlock, who responded to numerous emergency calls during the hurricane. "The storm tested us but look around — we came back stronger. That's Cocke County for you."

The celebration continued with live performances by Big Creek Blue Grass and The Davisson Brothers, who kept the party going until nearly 11 P.M., their music echoing across grounds filled with dancing families and friends.

Stronger Than the Storm

Throughout the evening, the event's tagline — "Stronger than the Storm" — proved more than just words. It was visible in every handshake between neighbors, every story pledged at the ETSU booth, every child's laughter and every first responder's proud smile.

"Hurricane Helene took a lot from us," said Fire Lieutenant David Torres. "But it also showed us what we're made of. This event isn't just about looking back — it's about showing our kids, our neighbors, the whole state that Cocke County doesn't stay down. We rise, together."

When asked how the event went, Raulston-Sloderbeck was unequivocal: "I think we knocked it out of the park. We supplied meals to over 1,020 of our attendees."

The Work Continues

As families departed, carrying tired children and full hearts, organizers were already looking ahead. The Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group continues raising funds and awareness while identifying flood victims and hurricane-damaged homes that still need assistance.

"We are still in the recovery phase," Raulston-Sloderbeck said. "We are still identifying flood victims and hurricane-damaged homes. Media is critically important for this outreach."

The work of recovery doesn't end with one successful event or even one successful year. As Raulston-Sloderbeck and her small team continue their 12-hour days, as case managers connect with families still struggling in silence and as volunteers hammer nails into rebuilt homes, the message is clear: Cocke County's story isn't just about surviving a storm but also about a community that refuses to let anyone face recovery alone.

One year after Helene, the real strength isn't just in what's been rebuilt. It's in the family at the fairgrounds who finally asked for help. It's in the 11 volunteers who stayed until midnight. It's in every story shared, every meal served and every hand extended.

Cocke County is still rising, and they're taking everyone with them.