TENNESSEE, USA — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, dozens of East Tennesseans are reeling from the severe weather event's impact on communities.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is asking people to provide physical donations only when asked by local and state authorities to specified drop-off sites. People should not try to self-deploy to disaster areas -- TEMA said that will hinder response and recovery efforts.
Organizations are asking for your help to support those in need. Here's how you can assist those offering support to areas by Hurricane Helene this week.
Groups & Organizations
- American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting donations to help people in the Southeast impacted by Hurricane Helene. WBIR has set up a page that will ensure donations will go to people impacted by the hurricane at his link.
- East Tennessee Foundation
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said the Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund has been set up with the East Tennessee Foundation to provide monetary donations to impacted counties. You can donate at this link. The money will help local nonprofits and agencies with recovery efforts from flooding.
- The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army will be sending its Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team to East Tennessee to provide essential relief services to affected communities. Their team of approximately 20 officers, staff and volunteers plan to begin meal service in affected areas as soon as possible, according to a release. Resources include mobile kitchen units, emotional and spiritual care, hot meals and beverages for survivors and more.
The organization states that financial contributions are the most effective way to support disaster relief efforts at this time. All donations go directly towards providing relief to survivors. Donations can be made online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- Knox County Sheriff's Office
KCSO says people are welcome to leave items such as bottled water, non-perishable foods, can openers, trash bags, blankets, gloves, gift cards and hygiene items.
They can be left at the KCSO West Precinct station in Turkey Creek beside Buffalo Wild Wings off Parkside Drive.
The West Precinct station will be open until 7:30 p.m. this week so people can drop off items.
- Greeneville Police Department
UPDATE 9/30: GPD says that water points of distribution will be in operation each week as well on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3pm to 5pm until otherwise advised for Greene County residents.
The Greeneville Police Department is collecting donations to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene and first responders from Monday, Sept. 30 to Friday, Oct. 4. They request bottled water, large trash bags, toiletries, new clothes and shoes, non-perishable goods, baby products and cleaning supplies.
GPD asks that donors bring all donation items to the Greenville Flyboys' front office located at Pioneer Park to the right of the ticket windows anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information click here.
- Loudon County Sheriff's Office
The Loudon County Sheriff's Office will be accepting donation items in the front parking lot of the Loudon County Justice Center (12680 Highway 11 W Ste 1 Lenoir City, TN 37771) on Monday, Sept. 30 from 12 pm to 7 pm and Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 9 am to 7 pm. Needed items include non-perishable food, hygiene, personal care, baby, pet, cleaning, and utility items. Non-potable water for flushing toilets and washing clothes are also desperately needed.
Currently, LCSO says there is NOT a need for clothing items. They ask that all monetary doantions be sent directtly to the Cocke County Relief Fund or to https://regionahead.com/. Donors can also donate blood at a nearby donation center. For more information, click here.
- Townsend/Great Smokies KOA Holiday
The Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday will be collecting disaster relief items to donate to people who have been affected by Hurricane Helene flooding. The site is asking for water, snacks, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, work gloves, personal hygiene items and any other donation items. Items can be dropped off at the welcome center at 7929 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.
- El Chisme Today
El Chisme Today will be collecting donations items from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 13305 Chapman Highway at the Smoky Tire Shop for families affected in Newport, Sevierville and surrounding areas. They are asking for donations of canned goods, cleaning products, clothes for children and adults, diapers for children and adults and water. For more information, contact 865-556-4035.
- Body Mind Realign
US Congress candidate Jane George will be collecting items specifically for women at Body Mind Realign Functional Medicine Chiropractic at 7423 S Northshore Drive. Donations will be accepted beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 30 to be delivered to local families affected by flooding. Needed items include water, biodegradable/disposable wipes, juice boxes, feminine hygeine products, toothbrushes/toothpaste, biodegradable soap, deoderant, diapers and small buckets. Please call 865-455-1750 for more information.
Churches
- Alpha Baptist Church
The Alpha Baptist Church in Morristown, TN will be opening its church at 5 p.m. Saturday to first responders, assisters and anyone who needs a meal or a place to go in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The church is located at 245 Saint Johns Road.
- Covenant Life Church
Covenant Life Church is dropping food off on Monday for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The church will be loading three trailers worth of items around 2:30 p.m. and traveling to Elizabethton. They are accepting donations of food, water, toiletries and more. Their address is 151 Sycamore Place in Clinton.
Contact Numbers
- TBI
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has established a hotline to coordinate reports of missing persons in the areas that have been affected by Hurricane Helene flooding.
TBI asks that those wishing to report missing individuals in affected areas across East Tennessee to contact 1-800-TBI-FIND with as much identifying information as possible. All information gathered by TBI regarding the missing person(s) will be made available to law enforcement authorities.
This article will be updated as more resources and information become available.