Red Cross, community members step in to help those in need after recent floods

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. — The American Red Cross disaster team is hard at work delivering necessary resources for those in need.

“What we’ve done so far, we have supplied assistance through sheltering and providing food service to six different counties throughout the Tennessee River region,” said Disaster Action Team Captain Dawn Duke with the American Red Cross of Mid-West Tennessee.

Now that most of the flooding has started to recede, the Red Cross plans to help residents start rebuilding by distributing supplies such as bleach, brushes and other items.

“We are working with some of our partnering agencies to help our clients understand the process,” Disaster Program Manager Heather Carbajal said.

The Red Cross will be talking to residents who have suffered flood damage.

“Our next step is to work with families one on one, sit down, talk to them and help them identify what their needs are and how the Red Cross can support them, as far as partnering up with our team agencies and help our clients get connected to them directly,” Carbajal said.

Although the Red Cross is on the ground helping people, other community members took matters into their own hands. David Turner, owner of Meo Mio’s Cajun & Seafood Restaurant, is one of those people.

“We have been sending food out to different areas for some kind of relief. Relentless rain and what it’s done is cause this river to go to levels no one ever thought possible,” Turner said.

Turner said it was the right thing to do in a time of devastation.

“As you know, some of these restaurants on the river have been closed due to the river flooding, and we were kind of the last ones standing,” Turner said. “That being said, we did what we could do as fast as we could do it.”

The Red Cross will be providing information and assistance to flood victims. If you need assistance, you can call 931-503-7426 to learn how the Red Cross can help you and your family.