Dresden, Tenn.–As tornado cleanup operations continue in Dresden, a Town Hall meeting is being planned for next week to assist persons with insurance questions and answer questions that may have arisen regarding the payment of claims by insurance companies.
The tentative date and location is Tuesday, January 4, at 6 p.m. at the Dresden Elementary School.
Mayor Jeff Washburn said with clean up operations still continuing in Dresden, volunteer individuals and groups are still needed to assist individuals and families clean up their property.
To request assistance for cleaning up your property go to the Volunteer Center at the Dresden First Baptist Church Family Life Center and fill out a request for assistance. It is important to do this as soon as possible so that volunteers can be assigned to assist you.
Once again, if you are needing a house or building to be demolished, you need to file a Demolition Request. Dresden Officials are still working on the details of accomplishing this by coordinating with individual insurance companies and FEMA assistance that may come available once a Presidential Disaster Declaration is signed. Individuals who wish to proceed with demolition and debris removal on their own are free to contract with companies to proceed.
Washburn said, “If anyone knows of anyone that is in need of assistance for food, housing, medical care, or other needs should contact the Volunteer Center to request the assistance. Volunteers at the center have been checking daily throughout the affected area since the tornado struck to see if humanitarian needs are being met.”
Dresden Fire Chief Paul Hutcherson reports that between the immediate and follow up searches of the affected area following the tornado by the fire department and other emergency services along with the the property assessments by Weakley County EMA. FEMA, and American Red Cross for damage and individual needs, along with the Disaster Relief personnel daily checks, there have been no less than six complete checks of every residence in the affected area and assistance is being provided on a continuing basis.
Food, water, clothing, and many other items are available to persons residing in the affected area at the Donation Center located at 1040 Evergreen Street in Dresden. Assistance is also available for clothing and other items at Santa’s Helpers in Dresden and We Care in Martin.
Once a Disaster Declaration is made by the President, FEMA will have a presence at the Weakley County Professional Development Center (Adult Learning Center) located off Highway 22. Persons needing assistance may apply for individual federal assistance at that time.
Photo by April Leiberman.