Newport, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Nearly two months after historic flooding ripped through Newport, City Hall will soon be back serving the public.

After clearing out the mud, water and even animals, staff are officially moving back into the building with the goal to have everything back in working order by Thanksgiving.

City Hall operations have been conducted out of a gym since September. Officials are eager for the reopening to prove that their city can make it through this.

“We had this event, it’s awful, it’s tragic, it’s a disaster, but like the phoenix we’re going to rise, and City Hall getting open can set an example to everybody that we’re coming back,” city administrator J.D. Finchum said. “City Hall is open and things are getting back to normal.”

With City Hall nearly ready, the city is shifting its focus to the Newport Police Department. That station was also severely damaged to a point where they don’t know if it can be salvaged or will just need to be rebuilt.