Tennessee Red Cross Volunteers Continue Serving into Second Week of Disaster Response

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 17, 2021 – When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross is there. Saturday, Dec. 11, Tennessee experienced strong thunderstorms that were part of a four-state tornado event lasting almost 14 hours.

More than 450 trained American Red Cross volunteers and staff from all over the country are helping on the ground and virtually in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, focused on providing shelter, meals, comfort, and support in the face of the deadliest tornado outbreak in a decade.

Some two dozen emergency response vehicles are moving through the affected areas where possible. We are working around the clock to help those in need, as quickly as possible.

This map shows the damage from the storms’ path that resulted from as many as 23 tornadoes and damaging winds across 18 counties in Tennessee. The towns of Samburg, Dresden, Kenton, and Kingston Springs have seen significant impacts.

Response in Tennessee

As of Dec. 16, the Red Cross provided the following services across the state of Tennessee:

• Damage assessment is complete by trained disaster volunteers.  Of 1,253 homes (including apartments/mobile homes) impacted in Tennessee, 174 are listed as destroyed, 249 with major damage (presently unlivable), 312 have minor damage, and 442 are listed as affected (cosmetic damage or damage to non-living areas like sheds, garages, etc.)
• Served more than 3,370 meals and snacks 
• Distributed almost 1,100 relief items
• Made about 118 individual care contacts to support physical, mental health and spiritual needs of those affected.
• Supported by 105 on the ground and virtual American Red Cross volunteers
   

For information on the Tennessee disaster response, or to find out how you can help following a disaster, go to RedCross.org/Tennessee.