DEL RIO, Tenn. (WVLT) – In the small town of Del Rio, Tennessee, a century-old church is being rebuilt with some help after Hurricane Helene’s devastating flooding.

The town is home to only a few thousand people. It sits along the French Broad River, which received record water on a Friday in September and dumped it and its debris inside the Del Rio Baptist Church.

Robert Hack lives in Bibee, just north of Newport. He said his area was flooded, but the damage in Del Rio was on a different level.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “I wasn’t impressed. “I was lucky and I always thought there was someone worse off than me and I should help where I could.”

His response was to go out, go to work, and help those in need. He said he hopes to inspire others to help their neighbors.

“When one person volunteers, then three people volunteer, and then 10 people volunteer, and that keeps everything going,” Hack said.

It inspired. Kevin Bryant is not a neighbor from East Tennessee; he and his church group call Springdale, Arkansas home. He said it wasn’t difficult for Mercy and Grace Cathedral Church to decide to go to Del Rio.

“My hometown is kind of like a country church. So it’s perfect for us to come here and help another country church,” Bryant said.

After the statewide march, the group began removing dilapidated floorboards and distributing basic supplies.

“We planned and collected supplies from Northwest Arkansas, the community and businesses for about two weeks,” Bryant said. “We loaded a box truck and a church bus.”

The group spent days in an unfamiliar place, literally a disaster zone, but they were helped with a smile.

“I feel sad in my heart when I see something like this happen, but to see God’s people and everyone coming together and working together and doing this; That’s what brings a smile to my face,” said another volunteer, Blake Bilderback.

Chris Nichols said the group not only left knowing they did a good job, but also gave a message to others.

“Please don’t forget these people,” said Nichols. “In three months this will be an afterthought to anyone I can call mine in the real world. Don’t forget these people.”

The group has now returned home. Del Rio Baptist Church plans to hold Sunday services in the church parking lot until the cleaning is completed.

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