Desperate Unicoi families seek answers as search for missing loved ones continues

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Unicoi County officials confirmed that there are dozens of community members missing and several of those are Hispanic and the community is desperate for answers.

I’ve been here since Friday from six am until 12:30 pm in the morning. Yesterday I came back at six to see if there was an answer or a result but there was nothing, said sister of missing person Guadalupe Hernandez Corona.

I’m searching for my wife and I’m desperate I don’t know anything about her, said husband of missing person Francisco Javier Guerrero.

Guadalupe Hernandez Corona and Francisco Javier Guerrero are just two of many who are desperate for answers.

Guadalupe has not spoken to her sister Monica Hernandez since Friday morning.

Their last conversation together leving her distraught.

She was saying they were inside the factory and that she was on top of a trailer and saying goodbye and telling us to call 911 and pray for her, said Guadalupe.

While speaking to family members they explained that before the flooding many of those working called their loved ones telling them they were worried about the weather.

Family members claim that factory officials did not ask them to evacuate in time.

She was still working when she called me and she told me that it was really raining and I told her to leave but she told me they weren’t telling her anything, said son of missing person Fernando Ruiz.

If they would have told them to leave earlier maybe they would still be here today and we wouldn’t be looking for them but when they tried to leave it was too late, said the community translator.

News 5’s Yannia Nordelo reached out to Impact Plastics Inc. for a statement and they said they are currently working on one to release.

Guadalupe says community support is what is keeping everyone hopeful.

As Hispanics we are always united, we are always united in every situation, and in all circumstances, we want to support and search everywhere but we just want them to let us search, said Guadalupe.

Saying they won’t stop looking until they find answers.

We are here we are not going to abandon you we are still searching, we are still searching for you, you are not alone, you are not alone we have all these people searching for you, said, Guadalupe.