CORINTH, Miss. (localmemphis.com) – It’s been days since remnants of Tropical Storm Olga made its way up the gulf damaging areas of northeast Mississippi.
Crews were busy cleaning up downed trees and power lines in two Mid-South states. Saturday morning, state of emergencies were declared for McNairy and Hardin counties in West Tennessee and Alcorn County in Northeast Mississippi. Some local schools also cancelled classes.
“I’m a happy camper. i”m thankful as it can get,” said Ricky Smith, a resident of Corinth.
Ricky Smith said he and his wife are lucky to be alive. When the storm blew through Corinth, he wasted no time.
“The wind got up, so we walked into the living room or into the dining room to look out the window, heard something hit the house and dove for it,” said Ricky Smith.
That something was a huge tree.
“The middle section is gone,” said Ricky Smith.
Several streets over, there were similar experiences.
“There were like toys and bicycles that were airborne and found them down the road,” said Theresa Smith, a homeowner.
Theresa Smith owns a home in the area. She wasn’t there when the storm hit, but her tenant was home.
“She was hiding in the laundry room, and the tree fell right on the back where she was,” said Theresa Smith. “She was scared to death.”
The Corinth neighborhood has been through severe weather before, so they banded together for the cleanup.
“I was here in ‘94 when they had the eye storms. We just loaded up chainsaws and we went around. We did what we could to help people get out of their driveways. I guess, you know? Payback, now it’s our turn,” said Ricky Smith.
While some worked on their homes, others found themselves without power. The Red Cross set up a shelter at the county’s convention center to assist those families.
“You can’t have heat when you want. You can’t bathe. You can’t have proper hygiene,” Tina Cox, a resident.
Cox came to the Red Cross shelter Monday. Since Saturday, her home has been without power.
“I have an 8-year-old and mother-in-law who is 72. It’s too cold. All our food and everything is ruined,” said Cox.
Remnants of Tropical Storm Olga ripped through her neighborhood leaving her home in the dark.
“I couldn’t get in my backyard. Trees were everywhere. The meter on the side of my house, the wind pulled it off,” said Cox.
The Red Cross has had as many as 14 at a time placed to the shelter.
“Some of the people have been displaced because of damage to their house and it’s not a safe place to stay. Some others have come in because of some sort of medical needs and they need access to power,” said Gail Thompson, American Red Cross Alcorn County Shelter Manager.
They are expecting more to come.
“We’ll be here as long as there is a need that needs to be met,” said Thompson.
For Cox, turning to the Red Cross was the best she could do for her family.
“I can’t make it better for her right now, and I don’t know what else to do,” said Cox.
The Red Cross said it could take until the end of the week before those who can receive power get it restored. The Salvation Army has also been providing food for the shelter.