ERWIN, Tenn. — After 35 years of unwavering companionship, Jerry and Sibrina Barrett found themselves facing an unexpected and tragic end to their journey together. Leading a life focused on hard work and family, the couple had never imagined that they would be affected by a hurricane, especially one that made its presence felt hundreds of miles away from their home in the mountains of East Tennessee.
On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, but the Barretts were largely unaware of the impending danger. It was only the following day, amid heavy rains, that Sibrina, who had a weekly cleaning job at Impact Plastics, reported to work a bit late. Tragically, that day marked the last time she and Jerry would be together.
Now, as Jerry processes his loss, Sibrina’s belongings remain untouched in their home—her clothes still draped over the bed, her nail polish and shampoo left in the bathroom, and her favorite sweater hanging from the back of a kitchen chair. Though he recognizes the necessity of sorting through these items one day, he finds himself unable to do so just yet.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene was immense, with the storm claiming the lives of at least 221 individuals, making it the deadliest to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many victims, like Sibrina, perished in floods that struck far from the coast, leaving behind grieving families and communities who mourn their absence.
Reflecting on their love story, Jerry recalls meeting Sibrina when he was just 20 and she was 17. As he reminisces, he fondly remembers cruising in his Camaro, enjoying carefree moments together and sharing laughs with friends. “We weren’t wild; we were just young people trying to enjoy life,” he shares.
Their relationship blossomed, leading to marriage and the birth of their son, Caimen. The couple settled in a mobile home in a community that Jerry had known throughout his life. “Neither of us came from wealth,” Jerry explains, expressing that while they weren’t poor, their upbringing didn’t include luxuries.
Both Jerry and Sibrina were dedicated to their work—Jerry in HVAC repair and Sibrina proudly taking on the role of the primary breadwinner. From her morning cleaning job to her evening work at a private school, she was known for her meticulous attention to detail, often re-cleaning areas to ensure they met her high standards. “Working to make money was how you get ahead,” Jerry states. “She spoiled me and our son.”
Caimen, now 21, has turned their shared love for the Dragonball Z anime into an impressive collection of figures that adorn their home. Sibrina was instrumental in curating this collection, ordering figures from Japan, and they would assemble them together, treating it as a shared passion. Jerry expresses gratitude that they chose to enjoy life in the moment instead of deferring their happiness for retirement.
The tragedy struck when Sibrina, aware of her fear of driving in poor conditions, decided to report to work later than usual. During her shift on September 27, she called Jerry during her break, informing him that the rainwater had pooled unusually high in the factory parking lot. Later, she notified him that the water had reached the bottom of her car door. Despite Jerry’s attempts to reach her, he found the interstate exit blocked and was advised by Sibrina to return home.
Following her last call, Sibrina and nine co-workers climbed to the highest point available—the flatbed of a tractor-trailer. Unfortunately, as the floodwaters continued to rise, the truck overturned, leaving the workers trapped in the torrent. With emergency services overwhelmed by other incidents, they struggled for survival in the rapidly rising water. Sibrina was one of six individuals who lost their lives that day.
This incident has highlighted the vulnerability of areas that people once considered safe from severe weather. Jerry was unaware of the chaos unfolding and only learned about Sibrina’s fate hours later. After several grueling days of waiting, her body was eventually recovered, leaving an immeasurable void in their family.
As investigations unfold, Jerry’s attorney claims that management at Impact Plastics had a responsibility to ensure employees’ safety, especially given the limited visibility in the factory. Some employees asserted they were advised to stay until the power ceased, exacerbating the danger when the flooding occurred.
Another survivor, Zinnia Adkins, managed to escape with the help of a colleague, yet her memories of that harrowing day continue to haunt her. Additionally, the family of a deceased worker filed a wrongful death suit against factory owner Gerald O’Connor, who asserts that workers were dismissed in time to escape safely. The situation remains under investigation by state authorities.
