West TN Healthcare urges public to utilize designated storm shelters

JACKSON, Tenn. — Today, April 2, West Tennessee Healthcare asked community members not to use the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital as a storm shelter.

Leaving some with questions about where they can go in the event of severe weather.

In the post, leaders with West Tennessee Healthcare stated, people who came to the hospital for shelter would not be allowed entry to the facility.

The post asks the public to utilize local storm shelters.

We spoke to Amy Garner with West Tennessee Healthcare who said the policy is in place for two reasons.

They want to avoid a large influx of unexpected visitors to the hospital to keep visitors and staff safe, and if a mass casualty event occurs during an emergency, those taking shelter at the hospital could be taxing on their resources or make it difficult for them to respond quickly.

“The reason for the post was in the spirit of trying to make sure we can take care of the community if there is an emergency situation,” said Garner.

So, where do you go?

If you live in Madison County, the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, has two storm shelters, one that can house up to 80 people and another that fits 200.

These shelters are opened when a tornado watch is issued.

There will soon be another that houses 1300 built underneath the New Pope School.

If you live in Henderson County, you can go to the Watson Emergency Management Center located at 50 Natchez Trace Drive in Lexington.

This shelter holds 75 people and is opened every day during business hours and opens after business hours based on weather in neighboring counties to the west.

If you’re in Crockett County, they have a shelter in Alamo located on Ball Park Loop.

It’s opened when a tornado watch is issued.

For Gibson County residents, there is a FEMA safe shelter in Milan, however most schools in the county have safe rooms.

The FEMA safe shelter is opened at the city’s discretion.

If you’re in Chester County, the public safety building at 126 Crook Avenue in Henderson is opened upon tornado watch or the county’s discretion.

The basement of city hall will also be opened for the public.

For those in Carroll County, you can utilize the basement of the sheriff’s department in Huntingdon or the Bethel University library basement in McKenzie.

If you’re unsure where to go, contact your local emergency management agency director.

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