Disaster Teams Deploy to Columbia, Tennessee

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Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, May 8, a string of deadly tornadoes tore through Middle Tennessee causing extensive damage to homes and businesses, while claiming the lives of at least three individuals. According to the National Weather Service, this storm was one of the most widespread severe thunderstorm events to impact Middle Tennessee in the last decade. Three tornadoes were reported in Columbia, Tennessee and also in Robertson & Rutherford counties. With winds upward of 140 mph, Columbia, by far,  sustained the most damage of the impacted areas. 

Unfortunately, many of the communities impacted by these tornadoes lack the economic resources and infrastructure needed to recover on their own. It will continue to take the efforts of local and national Response Teams and supporters like you to help affected residents rebuild their lives.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

Inspiritus Disaster Response Teams are on the ground in Columbia, TN assisting tornado survivors on their road to recovery. Our teams are providing free Home Assessments, Debris Removal, Chainsaw, and Heavy Equipment services wherever needed most, with priority on assisting those who are the most vulnerable, families with children, seniors, veterans, and especially low-income households. So far, our volunteer teams have served 148 hours, completing 30 Home Assessments and accompanying 14 individuals. In addition to this work, approximately 26 trees have been cut and moved to roadside. 

Projected Outcomes:

  • Providing Debris Removal, Chainsaw and Heavy Equipment services to communities as needed/available

  • Providing Free Home Needs Assessments

  • Support Individuals Impacted by the Disaster

Community Benefit:

Inspiritus is working to build local disaster response capacities, while also providing direct services to survivors.

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus is partnering with local emergency and city/county officials to build local disaster response capacity, as needed.

  • Direct Services: Inspiritus staff and volunteers are providing Home Needs Assessments, Debris Removal, and Heavy Equipment services, along with emotional care to bring safety and peace of mind to homeowners requesting assistance. We are directly providing Home Assessments and Debris Removal (including chainsawing) to homes and public spaces. 

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

We encourage you to support our Middle Tennessee Tornado Response response efforts by donating. The more funds we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by the storm. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Chainsaw, and Heavy Equipment services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

If you would like to make an impact and empower tornado survivors on the road to recovery, please consider joining our Disaster Relief Team on the ground in Columbia, Tennessee. Our work would not be possible without the support of volunteers like you, committed to assisting survivors in their darkest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Assistant Director, Julie Dimitrov, at julie.dimitrov@weinspirit.org or (843) 812-2189.
 

Thank you for your support.

 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus