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Local advocates and recovery staff ask for volunteers and update court on FEMA/USDA buyouts and Chestnut Ridge housing progress
Summary
A CASA representative appealed for volunteers to cover child‑welfare cases in Knox County; county recovery staff gave updates on USDA/FEMA buyouts, demolitions, site documentation and early‑warning system planning, and the court heard progress on Chestnut Ridge housing rebuilds.
Public commenters and county staff used the meeting to press for volunteer support and provide recovery updates after recent floods.
A representative of Appalachian Mountains CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) said the local program currently has no volunteers in Knox County and urged county leaders and residents to recruit advocates. The speaker read case numbers showing an increase in new child abuse/neglect cases over recent years, and asked the court to help with outreach, board membership and volunteer recruitment; training and outreach events were announced for late July and October.
County staff updated the court on USDA and FEMA‑related buyouts and demolitions: $42,800 was noted for vendor payments to advance closings; $165,320 was requested for demolition work; and staff said they will request $1.4 million to purchase nine properties once earlier rounds close. Multiple properties are in demolition pipelines and staff described a multi‑step closing process.
Emergency management and recovery staff also described upcoming FEMA site visits and documentation work intended to maximize reimbursement; they discussed installing an early‑warning system (sirens and alert coverage) at the campground/ATV center to improve local notification for floods or other events.
Judge and staff gave a Chestnut Ridge update: about 29 homes are standing with finish work in progress, power lines expected to be pulled in late August and an anticipated occupancy window for some homes in the fall; volunteer organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and Homes Incorporated were credited for construction support.
What's next: Staff will continue buyout closings and demolition scheduling and will work with the court on volunteer outreach for CASA; FEMA site visits and early‑warning system procurement will proceed as staff finalize requirements.
