Several local teams are headed down to the Gulf Shore in an effort to help those hit by Hurricane Michael.
It is the strongest storm to ever make landfall in the Florida Panhandle and has caused extensive damage.
A dozen volunteers from Middle Tennessee Electric are headed to South Georgia to help out. Crews are anticipating wind and tree damage as a major challenge.
The Tennessee River location of the American Red Cross sent one Executive Director and three volunteers to help at shelters in Georgia and Alabama.
Two Murfreesboro Electric Department crews left for Cordele, Georgia, Thursday morning to contribute to the Hurricane Michael recovery efforts. They will assist the Crisp County Power Commission, which serves about 12,000 households.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency officials also deployed multiple ambulance strike teams to Florida Wednesday.
“This is what Tennesseans do. In times of disaster or crisis, we volunteer to help those in need,” Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said. “I am proud of these men and women from across the state who have traveled to Florida, heading directly into the storm, to provide life-saving services and relief to those affected by Hurricane Michael.”
The teams included a total of 35 members representing departments from the following Tennessee agencies and counties:
- Sullivan County
- Washington County
- Greene County
- Grainger County
- Knox County
- Blount County
- Jefferson County
- Medical Center Madison County
- Medical Center Benton County
- Medical Center Chester County
- Henderson County
- Bartlett Fire Shelby County
“We are proud of these dedicated, professional Tennesseans who have answered the call for help and are selflessly helping our neighbors in Florida as they face the potential for catastrophic damages from Hurricane Michael,” TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan said. “We are thankful for them and for their families who allow them to volunteer and leverage their skills and experience to aid our neighbors.”
