Winter Weather Shelter Plans
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MADISON COUNTY, Tenn.- The Jackson Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for locations for two different kinds of shelters in Jackson-Madison County. Officials are looking to set up a day shelter and an overnight shelter if long term power outages across the county occur. Officials with the Red Cross told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News there are 3 possible shelter locations in North, South and Central Madison County, but each facility needs inspection and generation power. Emergency Management Officials said setting up a shelter isn’t simple; each location must meet very specific state standards for overnight shelters. Some basic standards require an overnight shelter to have generator power, showers, a place to cook, enough restrooms and space for hundreds to fit comfortably. “Finding a place has been difficult; we just don’t have generator power,” Derek Clements said. “The only place that has it are places of business and we can’t just invite people in there so it’s going to be very touch and go…we are going to be up all night trying to find a place with the engineers.” The ice storm is expected to bring freezing temperatures, strong winds, and sleet into West Tennessee. Some officials said they expect portions of Jackson-Madison County to lose power for several days. “We are preparing for the worst case scenario,” said Lynn Mooney, Jackson-Madison County Health Dept. Officials said the homeless could be especially at risk as Area Relief Ministries which runs the Room In The Inn Shelter every night, will be forced to shut down if roads become icy. “Myself and the EMA director are working together to see what happens to the homeless population when the power goes out and the night at the inn does not exist for the night,” said Derek Clements who is the Disaster Program Manager of Jackson Area Chapter Red Cross. Health Department Officials said without power of heat, temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit could put elderly at risk for hypothermia. Health officials said any temperature below 40 degrees could start frost bite, even if you are indoors. “If we have long term outages we are wanting people who do not have power especially the elderly to seek shelter somewhere they can get warm,” said Mooney. According to Clements if shelters are opened the Jackson and Madison County Fire Departments will provide free rides for those unable to get there safely. Calls for rides can only be made to their non emergency lines. Call Madison County Fire Dept Dispatch at (731) 424-5577 or Jackson Fire Dept Dispatch at (731) 425-8432.
