Cocke County Woman Who Lost Her Parents Files Suit Against TVA

The woman, whose parents were the two people killed in Cocke County during the flood caused by Helene, is now filing suit against the TVA. Maureen Obrist claims in a recently filed lawsuit that the Tennessee Valley Authority did not give people enough warning about the impending flood waters. Her claim centers on the Nolichucky Dam, which the TVA operates. In the lawsuit she states that the TVA knew that heavy rainfall and flooding conditions put the dam and residents downstream in imminent danger, but did not use proper channels to provide adequate warnings. The lawsuit claims that the TVA used inadequate and limited notifications through social media sites like X and Facebook. She says as a result of inadequate warnings, her parents, Michael and Jean Obrist were swept away by the floodwaters the night of September 27, 2024. Maureen Obrist says the carport on the family’s property was overcome by flood waters over her head in a matter of five minutes. She survived by holding onto a porch post. Obrist is asking for a jury trial and damages for her parents’ deaths, along with funeral expenses and court costs.

The entire lawsuit filed in US District Court is available for review below.