A Look Back: Tennessee Region Tornado Response - April 2023

Photo by Angela McLaughlin/American Red Cross

Following an unusually active spring storm cycle, a dangerous storm system ripped across the nation over the first weekend in April, producing as many as 100 tornadoes, killing more than 30 and injuring hundreds.

In the Tennessee Region, the primary areas of impact include Cannon, DeSoto, Hardin, McNairy, Shelby, Tipton and Wayne counties. Red Cross damage assessments found more than 235 homes majorly damaged or destroyed. Four shelters were opened in the Tennessee Region to serve displaced individuals and provide safe places to sleep, get warm meals, and find other resources. 

In the weeks following the tornadoes, Red Cross volunteers remained on the ground, serving meals to individuals still in their homes, distributing relief supplies and continuing damage assessment to ensure all needs were met.

Photo by Carlos Rodriguez/American Red Cross

Red Cross volunteer Vincent Hernandez surveys damage caused by the storms in Clarksville, Tennessee. 

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Red Cross volunteer Marti Shields delivers warm meals to people affected by the tornadoes in west Tennessee. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez/American Red Cross.

Fred Gillham's house was lifted off its foundation during the tornado in Clifton, Tennessee. Fred is pictured here with Red Cross volunteer Brian Warden. Photo by Laurie Puglia/American Red Cross.

Heather and Brandon, the owners of the historic house built in 1829 known as The Corners on Stones River, talk to John Mitchell, executive director of the Heart of Tennessee Red Cross chapter. The family’s home was majorly damaged after a devastating tornado hit Readyville.

Evelyn Garcia came into Westside Elementary School Red Cross Shelter needing assistance with health concerns following the tornado that hit Readyville on April 1. She was concerned with her health after being exposed to insulation and debris when her home was damaged. Bilingual Translator Red Cross Volunteer, Carlos Rodriguez, helped communicate her needs to medics, who helped get Evelyn the care she needed. 

Red Cross volunteer caseworker Tamara Caballero meets with Readyville residents Teresa and Joseph Tate to provide assistance.

Red Cross volunteers Brian Warden and Donna Plen met with Adamsville, Tennessee, resident Cataline Rodriguez to provide support. Cataline and her niece sheltered in their storm cellar during the tornado that destroyed her home. Photo by Laurie Puglia/American Red Cross.

Partner Spotlight: The American Red Cross delivered meals to the NAACP for families affected by the April 1 tornadoes in Tunica County, Mississippi.

Red Cross volunteer LaVonne LaMoureaux meets with Jayma and Brenda. Their Adamsville, Tennessee, home was damaged by the tornado. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez/American Red Cross.

Red Cross disaster mental health workers Marilyn and Edward are reaching out to people affected by the March 31/April 1 tornadoes. They help provide tools to promote resiliency, good coping skills, and reduce stress after a disaster. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez/American Red Cross.

Volunteers support the Red Cross disaster operations center in Crump, Tennessee. Photos by Kevin Wiramihardja and Laurie Puglia/American Red Cross.

Photo by Angela McLaughlin/American Red Cross

You can help support our mission. Visit redcross.org/tennessee to learn more.

3,200 Free Smoke Alarms Installed Across the Tennessee Region

Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. The American Red Cross helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them and by educating people about home fire safety. Together, with our partners, we've installed 3,200 free smoke alarms across the Tennessee Region during 2023.

Here's a look back at several of our installation events in 2023:

Nashville Area Red Cross volunteers spent a March Saturday morning to help make homes at Foxcroft Apartments safer.

During March is Red Cross Month, Mid-South Red Cross volunteers installed smoke alarms and discussed home fire safety with Memphis-area residents 

On June 17, Nashville Area Red Cross volunteers went door-to-door at East Nashville's Roberts Park Apartments to install free smoke alarms and help families create home fire safety plans.

On June 24, Red Crossers from the Heart of Tennessee chapter and from across Middle Tennessee partnered with La Vergne Fire Department Station 3 and AMVETS to install 131 free smoke alarms at a La Vergne mobile home community.

Tennesseans Help Across the Country in 2023 - Highlights

We're proud of our Tennessee Region Red Cross volunteers for stepping up to help across the state and the country this year. Tennessee truly lives up to its nickname as "The Volunteer State."

Here are a few highlights:

Mississippi: Volunteers from across the Tennessee Region gather at the Mid-South Red Cross Chapter in Memphis before departing to help with disaster response after the deadly tornadoes. Pictured left to right: Gail Caton, Neil Gibson, Stacey Lyness, Doug Wheaton, Loran Newton and Rico Cifre

Mary Lockett, from the Tennessee River chapter, deployed to Mississippi to help with tornado relief efforts.

These Northeast Tennessee Red Cross volunteers are headed out on their first deployment. Nancy Hudson, from Hawkins County, and Mark Wallner, from Sullivan County, drove a Red Cross emergency response vehicle to Savannah, Tennessee, where they supported shelter operations after a devastating tornado.

Guam: Mid-South Red Cross volunteer Francis Porter, from Memphis, provided critical support for residents after Typhoon Mawar.

Mary Lockett, a Red Cross Tennessee River volunteer from Clarksville, deployed to Coffee County, Tennessee, to help after the early August tornadoes.

Hawaii: Northeast Tennessee Red Cross volunteers Thomas Fortney and Theresa Nelson helped with sheltering, and Northeast Tennessee Red Cross Executive Director Heather Carbajal, right, assisted as an elected official liaison.

Hawaii: Red Cross Tennessee Regional Director of Communications, Sherri McKinney, served in Maui as a national spokesperson. 

Florida: Gene Roll, from the Southeast Tennessee Red Cross chapter, drove a Red Cross emergency response vehicle to pre-position critical supplies ahead of Hurricane Idalia's landfall.

More volunteers are needed now! Respond across the country or close to home. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerTN to get started.

Call to Action! Volunteers Needed in Chattanooga

 Call to Action! Volunteers Needed  

Volunteers needed to support disaster response in Southeast Tennessee  

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Sept 21, 2023— Volunteers in the Southeast Tennessee for the American Red Cross responded to many historic disasters both locally and throughout the nation in the last twelve months. These dedicated volunteers have served communities dealing with floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires in back-to-back disasters.  

Severe weather is part of a worsening national trend in which the American Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.  

As rapidly intensifying, weather-related events pose serious challenges to its humanitarian work and the people it serves, the Red Cross has announced an ambitious national plan to take urgent action. With more climate-driven disasters upending lives and devastating communities, the organization is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. 

In the Tennessee Region, this includes training volunteers on how to respond to disasters locally and across the country. 

The Southeast Tennessee of the American Red Cross responds to these disasters and many home fires weekly, sometimes daily. Volunteers make up about 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce, helping to make it possible to provide immediate support to our neighbors in time of need.  

The Red Cross is asking for help. Disaster Volunteers receive training to respond to the scene of home fires and other disasters. Volunteers provide emotional support, safe shelter, vital supplies, emergency assistance, and information to help families begin recovery. The Southeast Tennessee is conducting a local volunteer recruitment and training for those looking to make a lasting impact for others.

Upcoming informational and training sessions: 

Sept. 26, American Red Cross, 4115 S. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 28, American Red Cross, 4115 S. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If you have questions about the need for volunteers or how the American Red Cross responds in your community, please contact Idaline Diaz, Disaster Program Manager, Idaline.diaz@redcross.org.

WKU vs. MTSU 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive Sept. 25-27

Rival schools compete to increase blood donations and help save lives 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 19, 2023 — The Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers and the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders are teaming up with the American Red Cross and taking their rivalry off field to help save lives and earn top bragging rights in the WKU vs. MTSU 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive on Sept. 25-Sept. 27 at WKU and MTSU. 

 

Race to give this September and get a coupon for free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts and a chance to win a trip for two and VIP NASCAR experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series & Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway. Donors will also receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card and a collectible custom designed T-shirt. Terms: rcblood.org/win. 

 

During the three-day blood drive, the archrivals will each host their own blood drives to see which university’s supporters can bring in the most blood donations. The university with the most units collected will be presented with the blood drive trophy at either a WKU football game or at a MTSU football game. In 2022, MTSU took home the coveted award. 

 

“The annual Blood Battle between WKU and MTSU has become a wonderful historical feud which evokes strong school spirit and pride from fans on both sides,” said Clif Redish, district manager for donor recruitment with the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley. “We are currently experiencing a blood donation shortage in our region and this is a great way for fans to truly show their school spirit while helping the Red Cross save lives with blood donation.”  

 

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. This drive comes as the Red Cross is experiencing a shortage of blood donation for all blood types to be a lifeline for patients in need this fall. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may need blood products. 

 

Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor. 

 

WKU vs. MTSU 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive 

 

WKU 

Monday, Sept. 25 

Tuesday, Sept. 26 

Wednesday, Sept. 27  

 

10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

 

Preston Health and Activity Center 

Basketball/Tennis Courts  
1906 College Heights Blvd. 

Bowling Green, KY 42101 

 

To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: WKU or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins welcome 

 

MTSU 

Monday, Sept. 25   

Tuesday, Sept. 26   

Wednesday, Sept. 27    

  

11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

  

In the Rec Center  

1848 Blue Raider Drive   

Murfreesboro, TN 37132 

 

To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: MTSU or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins welcome 

 

How to donate blood 

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.  

  

Blood donors can save time on their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

 

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month 

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.  

  

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.  

 

Amplify your impact − volunteer 

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.  

  

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

  

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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.