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HomeNewsAmerican Red Cross Responds to Tennessee Ice Storms

American Red Cross Responds to Tennessee Ice Storms

Offer Vital Power Outage Safety Tips for Communities that May Still be Affected

American Red CrossDickson, TN – The American Red Cross operated and staffed an overnight shelter with a team of volunteers, to offer safe refuge for those residents who were affected by the ice storm and may require electricity in order to operate life-sustaining equipment.

The shelter had no overnight stays Monday night but local Red Cross officials plan to keep it open until Wednesday to serve those who may still need to utilize the facility.

The emergency shelter is located at:

Walnut Street Church of Christ
201 Center Avenue
Dickson, TN 37055

“We are working in coordination with the Dickson County EMA due to the extended power outages that are affecting thousands of residents. For those that can, we strongly urge you to continue to shelter in place until the electricity is restored, but those who rely on life-sustaining equipment that is electrically powered, are urged to come to the Walnut Street Church of Christ Shelter for relief,” said Julie Campos, Two Rivers Chapter Executive. “Anyone in the community that has been affected by the ice storm and does need a safe place to stay is also welcome to come to the shelter.”

The Two Rivers Chapter, in coordination with the Tennessee Volunteer Region, which encompasses 62 counties in Middle and West Tennessee, has been working for the past several days to prepare to aid local residents who were in the communities that were forecasted to be heavily impacted by the ice storm.

Volunteers and relief supplies were pre-positioned in Memphis, Jackson, Dyersburg and the Clarksville and surrounding areas in advance of the anticipated storm.

Power Outage Safety Tips

If you are one of the hundreds of people that remain without power, the Red Cross has steps you should follow until your electricity is restored:

  • Do not use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
  • Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
  • Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
  • If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
  • Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
  • Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
  • Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
  • Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use perishable food from the fridge first, then use food from the freezer. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours if the door remains closed.
  • If it looks like the power will be out for more than a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep your food in a dry, cool spot and covered at all times.

You can also download the Red Cross First Aid App for quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. This free app is available on the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores. See all Red Cross apps at redcross.org/mobileapps

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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