By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Camden, Tenn.–Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher thanked the people of Benton County and his staff for their hard work with the rescue and recovery efforts in Waverly and Humphreys County over the weekend. And their hard work continues.
As of Monday morning, 22 deaths have been confirmed in the catastrophic flooding in Humphreys County Saturday. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said the number of those still unaccounted is now below 20 as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
So far, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Department have carried five semi loads of donated items to Waverly.
Benton County first responders left for neighboring Humphreys County Saturday morning and first went to the Cash Savers store where people were trapped by rising floodwaters. Members of the Benton County crew later were trapped themselves for three hours when swift water slammed their boat into a tree.
Christopher said, “Benton County is just a great place to live. As good neighbors to Humphreys County, the people of Benton County have really stepped up. Just another six miles and that could have been us.”
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office staff “has gone above and beyond. They’ve been out there searching and helping however they can.”
The Sheriff’s Office and Highway Department collected donations Saturday and Sunday to take to Waverly.
Christopher also thanked the people of Henry County who have been bringing items to Benton County to be taken to Waverly.
He said the people of Waverly are also in need of air mattresses, cots, beds, pet supplies along with cleaning supplies, clothes, hygiene items and more.
Top photo: Donations came in to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office all weekend. Bobby Melton photo.
Benton County first responders meet with Sheriff Kenny Christopher before heading out again. (Dora Warner photo).