After the waters that spontaneously turned roads into streams and swamped homes across the region drained away, the public wasted no time in organizing relief efforts and donation drives.
Tuesday’s deadly natural disaster was catastrophic, the regional communications director at the American Red Cross of Tennessee, Jerrica Williams, said by phone. For the impacted communities, she said the two most important things right now for “families who have essentially lost everything” are food and shelter.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga, Hamilton County officials say they’ll ask state about interstate flooding)
At a minimum, Williams said the shelter at Brainerd Recreation Center saw around 30 displaced people by Thursday morning.
But hundreds more people lost vehicles or suffered property damage. Most desperately needed items include cleaning supplies, trash bags, hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes and feminine products, new socks and underwear, school supplies and storage totes, nonperishable food, bottled water, work gloves, flashlights, batteries, paper products and laundry detergent.
For folks who need help, 211 is a hotline operated by United Way of Greater Chattanooga that can connect people to resources they need. People can call, email or text, according to the nonprofit’s director of marketing and communications, Nikki Sevigny. She said by phone that the nonprofit also has an online resource directory available 24/7.
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The hotline hasn’t seen an increase in calls after the flooding, Sevigny said, but she said the nonprofit has seen an increase in calls from folks asking how the average person can help and donate. She asked the public to give what they can, whether that’s physical items or donating time.
“I think showing up, neighbors supporting neighbors, is what Chattanooga is all about,” she said. “You see it come to life in moments of crisis.”
Here’s a list of where to donate needed items to victims, as well as other ways to help. This list will be updated as more locations become known.
HAMILTON COUNTY
— Brainerd High School: Accepting donations 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at 1020 N. Moore Road
— Ivy Academy: Collecting emergency supplies 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 8520 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy
— Boneyard Bar: Collecting essentials, nonperishable food, clothing, shoes, toys and bedding through Aug. 28 during regular hours at 26 Station St.
— Oddstory Brewing Co. Central: Collecting essentials, nonperishable food, clothing, shoes, toys and bedding through Aug. 28 during regular hours at 1604 Central Ave.
CATOOSA COUNTY
— Cloud Springs Elementary: Receiving supplies 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 163 Fernwood Drive, Rossville
— The Chamber of Commerce at the Colonnade Center: Collecting supplies 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold
— North Georgia Campus at the Brainerd Baptist Church: Accepting donations 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Sunday at 1473 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
The best way to assist someone through the American Red Cross, Williams said, is to donate financially on its website, but another way people can help is by donating blood.
“Blood collection operations stop during disasters,” she said. “So when flooding happens in communities and they are heavily impacted, we’re not able to run those blood drives, so essentially hundreds or thousands of units could go uncollected.”
Contact breaking news reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.