In Elizabethton, Tennessee, the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department is grappling with delays in response times following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, particularly evident after a recent house fire resulted in a total loss.

Chief Chris Isaacs of the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department recently spoke with WJHL about the extended response to a blaze on Stout Hollow Road. The department was forced to take an alternate, longer route due to a bridge closure caused by the hurricane.

State officials have provided a list to the county identifying roads and bridges that are currently unsafe for public use, including emergency responders.

“The roadways have suffered damage, with missing pavement that not only slows down our apparatus but also hampers their ability to navigate around personal vehicles,” Isaacs explained. “This ultimately slows everything across the county, and we are trying our best to manage these challenges while continuing to deliver our services.”

This predicament is not limited to the fire department but also impacts other first responders like police and EMS, Isaacs noted.

The fire incident saw the involvement of nine agencies, and fortunately, there were no injuries reported. However, the ongoing infrastructure issues remain a significant concern for emergency operations in the area.