
Deborah Powers, a resident of Poga, distributed supplies to people in her community from a trailer set up on her property from Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton.
POGA — In an age driven by communication and technology, a small northeast Tennessee community near Beech Mountain, N.C., faces neglect and isolation.
Poga (pronounced Po-Gie) endured severe devastation in Carter County when Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 27, according to pastor Travis Tyler of Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton. Located in one of the county’s poorest areas, Poga struggles to recover from the disaster, he said.
Hurricane Helene destroyed cell phone towers, cutting off all communication for Poga residents. Three months later, most homes in the community lack cell service, internet and television.
Residents must travel to the former site of the community fire department just to make phone calls. The flooding destroyed the fire department and all its equipment. [Read more…]


