Red Cross Responds to Estill Springs Tornado
Volunteers Canvasing Affected Communities to Assist Families
(TULLAHOMA) February 28, 2011 – Red Cross volunteers are on the scene immediately following a tornado that ripped through a rural community near Estill Springs, TN on Monday. Volunteer crews in the area are currently distributing snacks and water to families as well as emergency workers at the two affected locations; Forest Lake Road as well as some homes located in the vicinity of Highway 130 and Rock Creek Road. The Red Cross is working to assess the emergency needs of the families who were affected.
Red Cross reminds affected families of some important safety tips following a tornado:
- Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
- If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Use battery powered flashlights when examining buildings—do NOT use candles.
- If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department.
- Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
- Keep all of your animals under your direct control.
- Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.
- Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.
You can help your local Red Cross assist victims of the Estill Springs tornado as well as other local disaster victims in our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by making a contribution to the Heart of Tennessee Chapter 502 South Jackson Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388 or online at www.midtnredcross.org
