The American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee is working around the clock to provide comfort and hope to all those affected by Tuesday night’s severe weather in Bradley, McMinn, Polk and Sequatchie counties. Red Cross also responded to a home fire in Meigs County overnight Tuesday.
Red Cross workers are providing food, water, relief supplies and emotional comfort to residents affected by the severe weather. Two Red Cross shelters are open at Polk County High School (7200 US Hwy 411, Benton) and Keith United Methodist Church (600 West Madison, Athens).
In the coming days, trained Red Cross workers will begin meeting one-on-one with people who need additional support to create recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other agencies.
“Our primary focus right now is providing aid to people across our area who cannot return to their homes," said Julia Wright, executive director of the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee. "Our hearts go out to families affected by Tuesday night’s severe weather.”
As people begin to deal with the aftermath of the severe weather, the Red Cross reminds them to return to their neighborhood only when officials say it is safe to do so. They should also:
Stay out of damaged buildings. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes.
Avoid fallen power lines or broken gas lines - immediately report them to the utility companies.
If someone smells gas or hears a hissing noise, they should open a window, get everyone out of the building immediately and call the gas company or fire department.
Use flashlights, not candles when examining buildings.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to advice on what to do in emergencies and disasters.
Help people affected by disasters like severe weather in Southeast Tennessee and countless other crises by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small across the United States. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.