Rosa Andrade cause of Death – In a heartbreaking conclusion to a month-long search, the body of Rosa Andrade, a 29-year-old mother of two and employee at Impact Plastics, was found amidst the remnants of Helene’s devastating flooding in Unicoi County, Tennessee.
Andrade, the last missing employee from the Impact Plastics plant, had been swept away by the floodwaters on September 27, 2024, when the Nolichucky River overflowed following heavy rains brought by the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene.
Her body was discovered on Wednesday, October 30, in a debris pile along Interstate 26 in Erwin, marking the tragic end of a massive search effort that had spanned over 30 days.
The Devastation of Helene: Unprecedented Flooding in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina
Tropical Storm Helene left a catastrophic impact across Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina. As the storm passed through the area, it brought with it torrential rains that transformed quiet rivers and streams into dangerous torrents.
The Nolichucky River, which runs near the Impact Plastics factory where Rosa Andrade and her coworkers were employed, quickly exceeded its banks. Within hours, the swelling river unleashed a flash flood that overwhelmed the surrounding area, inundating roads, buildings, and bridges, and leading to multiple fatalities and extensive property damage.
Unicoi County officials had issued a flood warning, but the intensity and speed of the rising waters left little time for residents and businesses in the affected areas to evacuate.
The flood swept away vehicles, destroyed homes, and submerged parts of the Impact Plastics facility, which had been situated precariously close to the river.
The flooding in Tennessee was mirrored by similar destruction in Western North Carolina, where communities are still grappling with the aftermath and numerous residents remain missing.
Rosa Andrade: A Beloved Employee, Wife, and Mother
Rosa Andrade’s disappearance on the evening of September 27 sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community in Erwin, Tennessee. Described as a dedicated worker, Andrade had been employed at Impact Plastics for several years, balancing her job with her roles as a wife to Francisco Javier Guerrero and a loving mother to their two young children. According to her husband, Guerrero, Rosa’s last words were a loving farewell as she prepared to face her shift in the factory.
“She said goodbye to me and told me to take care of the kids,” Guerrero shared, his voice filled with sorrow. As the floodwaters rose and the factory became engulfed, it became clear that Andrade and several others were trapped within the facility, unable to escape the relentless torrent. Francisco, along with other family members and community members, held out hope for over a month, praying for a miracle and a sign of her whereabouts.