WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. — As parts of East Tennessee continue to recover one year after the remnants of Hurricane Helene struck the Appalachian region, researchers are expanding efforts on some farmland to determine the long-term agricultural impacts.

Washington County farmer Will Runion remembers watching the Nolichucky River rise along his three and a half miles of waterfront farmland. Today repairs and restoration continue.

“One farm, we had about 30 acres underwater, and the other one is about 220 acres,” Runion said “And so, we’re fortunate to have a beautiful farm, but it’s got a lot of river frontage.”

Runion was prepared for flooding, but had never seen anything of this magnitude. He moved his cattle to safety, but lost most of his hay fields. He also lost a new business ventur

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