Tennessee family begs for help digging through flood debris where they believe their teenage daughter is stuck
‘We just need to have closure. We need to find her,’ says 15-year-old Lilly Bryant’s aunt, Tarri Holderman
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A family in Waverly, Tennessee is pleading for help digging through the flood debris where they believe their teen daughter is stuck.
Lilly Bryant, 15, was last seen on Saturday morning as floodwaters swept her away and slammed her into a tree, her family says. The teenager’s aunt, Tarri Holderman, believes she is somewhere in the area, buried under the wreckage left behind.
“There is so much debris and we just need people to come out to move this stuff so we can see underneath,” Ms Holderman told WZTV.
The distraught aunt says she and the rest of the family have called hospitals and shelters in the area to see if Lilly might be there, but without luck. Nevertheless, they’re holding out hope that the teenager is still alive.
“We’re praying that she’s just unconscious somewhere and not being able to talk,” Ms Holderman said.
What has caused the flooding disaster in Tennessee?
Tennessee mother saves four of her five children from flood, but tragically loses two-year-oldTennessee flooding: Pictures show ‘devastating loss’ as search begins for more than 40 missing
Here in Tennessee, as floods destroy homes and families, it’s clear our Republican leaders are not on our side
Still looking for dozens missing in record Tennessee floods
Lilly has blonde hair, is 5’7” tall, and was wearing a pink top and blue or black shorts when she was last seen. Her family and Waverly authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding her.
Over the weekend, Tennessee was devastated by catastrophic flooding, especially in Humphreys County, where the city of Waverly is located. At least 22 people in the state have died, and about 40 are missing.
Among those affected, tragically, are children who were ripped from their parents’ arms by the floodwaters. A pair of seven-month-old twins were killed, and a two-year-old boy is missing after slipping out of his mother’s grip as she held onto her four other children.
Ms Holderman says her family is in agony over the thought of losing Lilly.
“My sister is just devastated,” the aunt told WKRN. “She’s broken down so many times she can’t even speak. I’m pretty much all cried out.”
Ms Holderman says family members have travelled in from other states to help look for Lilly, and locals in the Waverly community have volunteered to house them.
“People have taken us in that we don’t even know,” Ms Holderman told WZTV. “The people here are so nice, so nice. I just want to thank everybody for everything they’ve done.”
What is most needed now, she says, are tractors and other vehicles to lift the debris.
“We just need to have closure. We need to find her,” she said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments