NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As a lengthy and tornado and storm recovery process begins across the Nashville area, Memphis help is already on the ground in middle Tennessee.
The executive director and four volunteers from American Red Cross Memphis chapter of the Mid-South are scattered across the region, focusing their efforts on opening shelters and helping families most in need.
"We are going to be here awhile," Executive Director John Brown said. "This is not a two day or a week event, this is massive."
Brown said as many as 20 American Red Cross volunteers from Memphis could arrive in the coming weeks, to assist with everything, including feeding and comforting families.
"Main thing is taking care of folks. We are still in an active situation in Putnam of looking for folks. That's real sensitive, so we are even helping with reunification, trying to be there with counseling," Brown said.
Brown added it's an honor to volunteer and help others in The Volunteer State.
"When you are called off the bench and we are ready to go, hey, I don't care, it could be Alabama, Tennessee, it doesn't matter. We are Tennessee volunteers. We are going to volunteer, and we are going to roll through, and we are going to make sure we are taking care of the folks in Nashville," Brown said.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper expressed his gratitude for the Bluff City help already on the ground during a news conference late Wednesday morning.
"We are grateful to everyone from Memphis and frankly a lot of Mayors, from Dallas to Dayton, Ohio, have called to offer support," Mayor Cooper said.
As of late Wednesday morning, the city of Memphis nor MLGW crews were requested to assist in the Nashville area, but those crews remain on standby.
Although Davidson County emergency responders said there are no missing persons in Nashville or Davidson County, longtime leaders described the tornado as the most devastating storm they've ever dealt with in the Music City.
If you'd like to help those affected by the Nashville area tornadoes, these are suggested resources to donate:
