Susan Dodson lost her East Ridge home Monday night when a tree crashed through her roof. Still, she considers herself lucky.
“It’s material,” Dodson said. “My son’s OK. That’s all that matters.”
Jordan Dodson, 23, was inside the home at the time. His mother, Susan Dodson, was at work when she received the call.
“My son called and said a tree fell on the house and he couldn’t get out,” Dodson said. “I said, ‘Hang up and call 911.'”
Heavy storms Monday night did significant damage as strong winds and rains felled trees across the region. Eight homes in East Ridge were damaged, three of which were destroyed, displacing more than 20 people, according to East Ridge Fire Department Chief Mike Williams. In Loudon County, Tenn., a 3-year-old girl watching TV in bed was killed when a tree fell on her family’s mobile home.
More Info
If you need aidObtain a voucher for the Salvation Army Family Store at the Salvation Army Social Services office at 2140 E. 28th St., or call the Red Cross at 423-265-3455.How to donateCall the Salvation Army at 423-756-1023 or go to csarmy.org, and mention that the donation is to go toward victims of the “East Ridge Storm”
Fallen limbs wreaked havoc on power lines, too, leaving 4,000 homes and businesses in the Chattanooga area without electricity Monday night. Several hundred remained without power into Tuesday, and EPB spokesman John Pless said Tuesday night that less than 100 remained without power.
Williams said firefighters responded to reports of damage, rescuing three people from homes, as well as two pets. He said no injuries were reported.
Williams said his department also responded to 35-40 calls about downed power lines and four structure fires, which he described as “mild, with minor damage.” Williams said three of the four fires were storm-related.
Kimberly George, director of marketing and development for the Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga, was on her way home from work Monday when she heard about the storms.
“I didn’t realize how strong the storms were,” George said.
She made a few phone calls and met Jamie Lewis, disaster program manager with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee, and representatives from Hamilton County Emergency Services at Fire Station 1 in East Ridge. They got the addresses of those who reported home damage and drove to the eight locations. The team made initial assessments at each home to determine if a shelter needed to be opened or if anyone was injured, then contacted Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Belvoir Avenue, where the Red Cross helped families begin recovery plans and provided comfort kits with basic toiletry items.
“Most people when they’re forced out of their homes don’t have basic things that we take for granted, like a bar of soap and a toothbrush,” Lewis said.
George said all of the displaced residents had made arrangements to stay with family, friends or in hotels, so an emergency shelter wasn’t needed. She said that, although many were sad over what was lost, with some even sobbing in her arms, most shared the same perspective as Susan Dodson.
“They realized they had each other, which was a blessing,” George said. “They realized they can replace things, they can’t replace lives.”
Both George and Lewis said their agencies would continue to be there for the families. George said families can obtain vouchers to shop at Salvation Army Family Stores at the Salvation Army Social Services office at 2140 E. 28th St. Lewis said Red Cross crews were out all day Tuesday checking neighborhoods and passing out rakes, shovels, gloves and garbage bags to help with the clean-up.
Contact Will Healey at whealey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.