Helene Floodwaters Swept 11 Tennessee Factory Workers Away. At Least 4 Remain Missing

Workers at Impact Plastics claim they were told to stay at the facility, as raging floodwaters surrounded the facility, which the CEO denied

At least four people remain missing and two are dead after they tried to evacuate from the rural Tennessee factory where they worked, as raging floodwaters from Hurricane Helene surrounded the facility, according to reports.

Employees at Impact Plastics claim they were told to stay at the factory in Erwin, Tenn. on Friday, Sept. 27, even as its parking lot became flooded and the power shut off, according to CBS affiliate WVLT.

“I didn’t hear anyone say ‘leave’ or nothing like that. I actually asked one of the higher ups,” employee Jacob Ingram told the station. “They told me ‘No, not yet.’ They had to ask someone before we were able to leave, even though it was already above the doors and the cars and everything else,” he claimed.

When employees were finally told to go home, at least 11 of them were forced to scramble to higher ground as water from the nearby Nolichucky River enveloped the surrounding roads, the Associated Press reported.

Related: Over 50 People Trapped on Tennessee Hospital Roof by Hurricane Helene Floodwaters Rescued

Ingram posted a series of videos on Facebook from his and his fellow co-workers’ attempts to flee the area.

The group of 11 employees clung to plastic pipes from a semi truck, per the Knoxville News Sentinel. When the truck tipped over, the workers were carried away by the surging water.

One woman, later identified as Bertha Mendoza, was pronounced dead, and Impact Plastics confirmed the death of another employee, per the newspaper. Five of the workers were later rescued, according to the AP.

A representative with Impact Plastics did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for additional details.

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In a statement obtained by WVLT, the company said it was “devastated by the tragic loss of great employees.”

“Those who are missing or deceased, and their families are in our thoughts and prayers,” Impact Plastics founder and CEO Gerald O’Connor said.

Related: Father of 4 Dies After Neighbor's Tree Falls on His Home During Hurricane Helene: 'A Friend to Everyone'

Addressing the company’s decision-making on Friday, O’Connor said that the "company continued to monitor weather conditions. When water began to cover the parking lot and the adjacent service road, and the plant lost power, employees were dismissed by management to return to their homes in time for them to escape the industrial park.

"At no time were employees told that they would be fired if they left the facility," he added. “For employees who were non-English speaking, bi-lingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message. While most employees left immediately, some remained on or near the premises for unknown reasons. Senior management and assistants remained to oversee employee departures, assess damage and preserve company records. They were the last to exit the building.”

Amid the chaotic scene and in the storm’s wake, those who worked at the plant are processing their grief.

“I lost six good friends. Co-workers,” Robbie Jarvis told NBC News. "We were family there. We all joked all day long. I spent more time with them than anybody else in my family.”

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