Red Cross Tornado Disaster Response Update: Recovery Centers

Readyville, Tennessee. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez/American Red Cross.

COVINGTON, Tenn., April 14, 2023 – American Red Cross disaster responders are working to help those people who were impacted by the March 31 and April 1 tornadoes. The storms tore through parts of Cannon, DeSoto, Hardin, McNairy, Tipton, Tunica, Shelby and Wayne counties. 

The locations of Recovery Centers for individuals impacted by recent tornadoes in the Tennessee Region are: 

CANNON COUNTY
New Hope Church of Christ
4296 Murfreesboro Road
Readyville, TN 37149
Seeing clients: April 14-15 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

McNAIRY COUNTY
Bethel Springs First Baptist Church
143 Jackson Street
Bethel Springs, TN 38314 
Seeing clients: April 14-15 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
April 16 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Whether you own or rent, if your home or apartment was destroyed or sustained major structural damage, bring identification and proof of residence to meet with a Red Cross recovery worker. We will have water, snacks, emergency supplies, and individual disaster care services. If you are unable to come in person, you can call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2766).

Dozens of resources can be found at the American Red Cross Resource Referral Page at resources.redcross.org. Please search by ZIP code for local resources.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging individuals in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties, to apply for direct assistance by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. CST. Multilingual operators are available. You can also apply online by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.

YOU CAN HELP This has been a busy spring tornado season already that has uprooted lives and devastated entire communities. Families need help now. You can make a difference in the lives of people affected by tornadoes and storms in the South and Midwest. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word TORNADO to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance. Ensure your donation helps people affected by Southern and Midwest tornadoes and storms by choosing that option on redcross.org/donate or through 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Find out how you can serve in your community by searching for current volunteer opportunities. The American Red Cross provides FREE disaster training for all volunteers. Training courses are both online and in-person depending on the course. To find out more about these training opportunities please contact your local Red Cross office. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Tennessee or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossTN. The American Red Cross Tennessee Region serves all 95 counties in Tennessee, Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto and Tunica counties in Mississippi. The Tennessee Region – part of a nationwide network of locally supported chapters - is comprised of the following eight Red Cross chapters: East Tennessee, Heart of Tennessee, Mid-South, Mid-West Tennessee, Nashville Area, Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Tennessee, and Tennessee River.