How To Help After Middle Tennessee Tornadoes

On Saturday, December 9th, Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky experienced severe tornadoes that left six dead, more than a couple dozen injured, over 40,000 without power and leaving behind extensive damage.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said multiple power lines/poles are down along the area of Gallatin Pike North and Old Hickory Boulevard. Meanwhile, officers are closing roads for areas impacted by the storms in Madison and North Nashville.

In addition to the three deaths reported along Nesbitt Lane in Madison, police said multiple people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Urban Search & Rescue is also helping the Nashville Fire Department with response efforts, including searching compromised structures and looking for people who may be trapped.

Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown said both Gallatin and Hendersonville sustained significant damage due to tornadoes. Residents are asked to stay off the roads to allow first responders and utility crews to do their jobs.

Officials said it is “critically important” for people to call 1-800 RED CROSS to report damages to their homes as Red Cross plans its response and casework.

Nashville officials shared additional details from various agencies Saturday night:

  • Metro Water Services:
    • Both water treatment plants are on generator power and reporting no issues.
    • The Dry Creek wastewater treatment plant sustained minor damage to the buildings and lost power, so the UV disinfecting system is operating on generator power.
    • Eleven pumping stations in the Madison/Old Hickory area are without power from Nashville Electric Service (NES), but six of those locations are being powered by onsite generators. In addition, portable generators will be dispatched.
  • General Services is assessing Metro properties in the impacted areas.
  • The Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) has multiple assessment crews out checking roadways and mobilized three six-man “knuckleboom” crews.
  • NES is reporting nearly 35,000 customers without power due to 176 active events.
  • T-Mobile said cell services will be disrupted at times, but this shouldn’t affect 911 services.
  • The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Nashville Division is coordinating response efforts to assist survivors in the community.


OPEN SHELTERS

Clarksville

  • Northeast High School at 3701 Trenton Road in Clarksville
  • Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing at 2650 Trenton Road in Clarksville

Hendersonville

  • Beech High School at 3126 Long Hollow Pike in Hendersonville

Nashville 

  • Isaac Litton Middle School at 4601 Hedgewood Drive in Nashville


If you are displaced due to today's severe weather and tornadoes, please call us at 1-800-RED CROSS for assistance.

For updated shelter listing please click here

Mt. Juliet-

The City of Mt. Juliet's thoughts and prayers are with our neighboring counties affected by the tornadoes this evening. As a community that is very familiar with the heartbreak that severe weather can bring, we are working to use our City of Mt. Juliet Tennessee Christmas Parade as a way to mobilize our efforts to help everyone affected. To our generous MJ community, here's how you can help:

Bottled Water: The City will collect bottled water following the parade. Please leave the case of bottled water along the sidewalks of the parade route.

Donations: Our friends at MJ4Hope are collecting monetary donations. Help here: https://bit.ly/3RC1W2X

Ribbons: Will be provided by Parks & Rec and placed on each parade float to symbolize our thoughts and prayers for those affected by tornadoes.

Moment of Silence/Dedicated Prayer: Will take place before parade for those affected by tornadoes.

Madison-

The Madison Holiday Market will be open 11am-2pm (Dec 10) as a community space for those who need warm shelter, hot coffee, hot food and community
303 Madison Street, Madison, TN

Nashville-

Bagel Shop Nashville is opening their doors to those affected in the storms with coffee, wifi and a space to relax and regroup

Roberts Renovations will help tarp roofs and secure fences for dog / Contact 615-642-3860

Hero Doughnuts is offering free coffee, free wifi, Disney+ on the TV for kids to enjoy

Dream Burger Nashville offering free meals from 12noon-3pm (Dec 10)

Brave Idiot Food Truck is offering free meals to those in need. If you or someone you know need, order online and use cleareyesfullheartscantlose for a 100% discount

Hendersonville/Gallatin-

  • Pawster Nash is offering assistance to anyone who may need temporary care for animals.
    Contact info@pawsternashville.org
  • Text 615-434-4912
  • Or complete an intake form here

Tailgate Brewery (248 Sanders Ferry Rd) will be offering free slices of pizza (Dec 11) from 12pm-4pm. No purchase neccessary. Come hang out, charge your phone and get on wifi.

The Gallatin Hotel has 3 empty rooms available for anyone displaced this week. Please contact manager@thegallatinhotel.com

Costco in Hendersonville is open to members and NONMEMBERS today if you're in need of food or if you're helping supply food to those in need (1101 Forest Retreat Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075)

Puckett's Hendersonville (255 Airport Rd, Gallatin) will be handing out food from 11am-4pm (Dec 10)

Liberty Baptist Gallatin (1047 South Water, Gallatin) will be offering hot dogs, chips, and water for those in need and those helping out

Kroger (1010 Glenbrook Way, Hendersonville, TN 37075) has their break room open with hot coffee and snacks for those to come in and charge cell phones and warm up

Henderson Police Department (3 Executive Park Dr, Hendersonville, TN 37075) has a food truck (Asi Hibachi and Sushi) set up for those in need of a meal. Burger, hotdogs, chips and drinks available.

BYH Kitchen + Bar is offering half off your entire bill for anyone without power today. Just tell your server. Open 10-3pm (Dec 10)

Rearden Barn Company is offering free tree removal, roof tarping, clean up, etc. Contact Jake Rearden 629-888-7663 or reardenbarncompany@gmail.com

Ways to Help Following Deadly Tornado

Numerous organizations available to accept volunteers, donations and other aid for tornado victims

Metro’s Office of Emergency Management partners with multiple agencies to assist with recovery efforts. Residents who are interested in helping with recovery efforts are encouraged to reach out to members of the Disaster Relief Committee, which is comprised of local disaster relief agencies. The following are members who work closely with OEM during citywide emergencies:

American Red Cross

Phone: 615-250-4300

American Red Cross Website

The American Red Cross has a long history of providing assistance to disaster victims around the world, and is the lead community agency responsible for sheltering and mass care services in Nashville. The Nashville Chapter American Red Cross will help identify and provide damage and needs assessment for disaster victims, and ensure that they have food, clothing, water, medications and other basic essentials.

Salvation Army

Phone: 615-242-0411

Salvation Army Website

The Salvation Army has a long-standing history of ministering to children and families in Nashville, and would provide fixed and mobile feeding sites, clothing, bedding, lodging and other emergency aid to victims, if a disaster strikes. Also, the agency would provide case work and financial counseling services to families.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Phone: 615-329-3491

Second Harvest Food Bank Website

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee fights hunger by providing food, services and education to 46 Middle and West Tennessee counties, including the Nashville Davidson County area. During a community crisis in Nashville, Second Harvest would help in the coordination of basic food items to areas that need it. The organization was formed to provide a central distribution center for companies, groups and individuals who want to help provide food to people in Middle Tennessee who are hungry. Second Harvest is part of a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue programs throughout the United States. In Middle Tennessee, the agency distributes food to more than 500 non-profit partner agencies.

Community Foundation of Middle TN

Phone: 888-540-5200

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Website

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is the primary charitable repository for cash, and would maintain ultimate authority and control over the Metro Disaster Response Fund, a program designed to meet the needs of our community during disaster. The agency would convene the Metro Disaster Response Fund Advisory Committee to evaluate requests for cash assistance and make distributions from the fund to tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations assisting with efforts to rebuild the lives of individuals and families affected by a local disaster - both immediately and long-term. The committee is comprised of a designated representative from the Mayor's Office, The Office of Emergency Management, Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Middle Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MD TN VOAD), business community, and representatives with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Crisis Center/2-1-1

Phone: 211

Crisis Center Website

The Crisis Center/2-1-1 has been a critical partner in Nashville's emergency and crisis response efforts for more than 35 years. When a disaster strikes, Nashville will rely on the Crisis Center and its recently created 211 division to connect disaster victims to the services they need. Whether it is food, shelter, counseling, or other social service needs, 211 is specifically designed to connect people with more than 2,800 health and human services agencies. All 211 calls are answered by nationally certified information and referral specialists who are fluent in several different languages. The caller is provided with phone numbers, programs and services, location, hours of operation and other information relevant to what the caller needs.

Hands On Nashville

Phone: 615-298-1108

Hands On Nashville Website

Often, during a community crisis, people are eager to volunteer their time and energy to help communities recover. During a disaster, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management would rely on Hands on Nashville to connect volunteers with people and agencies that need help. Hands on Nashville links volunteers with available volunteer opportunities and helps coordinate large-scale volunteer efforts.

Middle TN Tornado Support Community Resource Center

  • 2023 Tornado Support Collection Drive Sign Up Form
  • Amazon List: Christmas for Sumner County Kids
  • Tornado Relief Needs Amazon Listhttps://www.instagram.com/reardenbarncompany/

In response to the devastating tornadoes that struck our region on December 9, 2023, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) and United Way of Greater Nashville have activated their emergency relief funds. This partnership is a concerted effort to aid those affected by the disaster.

Simultaneously, the two organizations are directing donations to recovery efforts in Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, and Sumner counties through the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund housed at CFMT. This fund will direct effective and timely assistance to tornado survivors in surrounding counties impacted by the December 9th storms.

“Each one of these funds is intentionally designed to ensure that assistance will quickly get to those who need it the most,” said Hal Cato, CEO of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “During this holiday season, we will all be working hard to ensure that amidst the wreckage from Saturday night, survivors know there is a community ready to lift them up.”

The funds raised by both organizations will provide critical support to nonprofit and faith-based partners actively working to address survivors’ needs. These organizations are amongst the first line of support for those experiencing loss after a disaster and address urgent needs such as financial assistance, food and nutrition, temporary housing, debris clean-up, and animal sheltering.

Donate to Davidson County Relief Fund

Donate to outside Davidson County Relief Fund

How Can You Stay Safe After a Tornado?

Red Cross shares the following advice for after a tornado below:

Avoid Injury

  • Keep listening to radio, TV or other news sources. Stay in your shelter until the tornado warning is over.
  • Do not enter damaged buildings.
  • If the building you are in has been damaged, exit with extreme care and stay out. Look around for things that might fall or dangerous debris. Do not use matches or lighters inside. If you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable, leave immediately.
  • If you are trapped, try to cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting.
  • Watch out for exposed nails and broken glass.
  • Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.

Clean Up Safely

 

  • Be careful during clean-up. Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants and work gloves to reduce injuries.
  • Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
  • If power is out, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns to reduce fire risk.
  • Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not use gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, basement, garage, tent or camper — or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away — do not delay.

Treat Injuries

 

  • People may be injured. Provide first aid as needed.
  • Do not attempt to move a person with a back or neck injury unless they are in immediate danger. Seek immediate medical assistance.

Take Care of Yourself

 

  • It's normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress, or anxiety.
  • Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
  • You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

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