Mexican immigrant families plagued by grief, questions after plant workers swept away by Helene

Immigrants often suffer in mass disasters, such as in Hurrican Katina in 2005.  They also played a role in Katina’s clean-up.

ABC News reports that immigrants have been affected by Hurricane Helene.  

Days after six workers at a plastics factory in Tennessee disappeared under floodwaters caused by Hurricane Helene, family members and supporters have been gathering for vigils in front of churches, a high school and a grocery store to honor them.

The storm, which claimed hundreds of lives, quickly overwhelmed Erwin, an Appalachian town of around 6,000, and resulted in more than 50 people being rescued by helicopter from the roof of a submerged hospital.

“The scar it left behind has been especially devastating within the small Latino community that makes up a disproportionate number of workers at the factory: Four of the six workers swept away were Mexican American.”

KJ