ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. — East Tennessee is still feeling the impact of one of the worst manmade environmental disasters in U.S. history. Around 15 years ago, a retention pond full of toxic coal ash failed on the site of a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in Kingston. Now, the Kingston community held a ceremony to honor the people who cleaned up the disaster.
Fifteen years after the spill, family members of people who helped clean up the coal ash spill in Kingston recounted a lack of adequate protective equipment provided to the workers.
Betty Johnson's husband worked at the power plant. She said he began feeling symptoms just a few years later after battling numerous different ailments. He died in May of this year and she said the suffering that he had to endure during his final years needs to be remembered.
"When they were out there, they couldn't take showers or wash their hands. They ate food amongst the spill. They were treated like animals," said Johnson.
Fifteen years after the spill, community members are honoring the workers by putting up five billboards throughout the county.
"We've had little things before, but this is the biggest thing to remember the workers of the coal ash. It finally tells the truth of what happened.," said Johnson.
A rendition of Amazing Grace performed on bagpipes closed out a ceremony on Friday, all to remember those workers who didn't make it to the 15-year anniversary.