RHEA COUNTY — First responders from Rhea County have responded in mutual aid to East Tennessee counties devastated by the effects of Hurricane Helene.
Rhea County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy John Argo said that nearly 20 officials with the sheriff’s department and Rhea County fire departments and rescue squads have deployed to Washington County, Tenn., to assist with disaster relief.
“The county fire and rescue squad were deployed over the weekend,” Argo said. “And we’ve sent probably 10 (sheriff’s deputies) up there as well.”
Argo said that the sheriff’s department sent K9 search and rescue and cadaver-locating units as well.
On Sunday, officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said that rescue and clean-up efforts are still underway and that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has declared a disaster in several East Tennessee counties.
“Due to the continued impacts, Gov. Bill Lee declared a major disaster and state of emergency through Executive Order 105 to provide critical relief to survivors of the severe weather and flooding in Tennessee,” TEMA officials said in a released statement. “FEMA has authorized Public Assistance emergency protective measures including direct federal assistance at 75 percent federal funding for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson and Unicoi counties. FEMA has authorized to provide Public Assistance emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding for Hawkins and Washington counties.
“TEMA continues to deploy personnel at the request of the counties and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. TEMA recommends residents continue to tune into information provided by their local officials to remain safe.”
TEMA officials also said on Sunday that while “local communities appreciate the volunteer spirit during disasters, please do not send donations that have not been requested by state or local authorities. Do not self-deploy to disaster areas — this will hinder response and recovery operations.”
In Rhea County, those wishing to donate to relief efforts must do so through law enforcement channels, and on Monday the sheriff’s department, the Dayton Police Department and Town of Spring City announced they will be accepting donated items to deliver to the affected areas.
“The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Rhea County Courts, will be collecting items to be sent to those affected by the flooding and destruction in Northeast Tennessee and the North Carolina area,” sheriff’s department officials announced. “Items can be dropped off at the Rhea County Justice Center, located at 7800 Rhea County Highway. The Town of Spring City will be working in conjunction with us and will accept donations at city hall, located at 369 Front Street in Spring City. All items should be new in condition, and all items must be in original unopened packaging.”
Requested items include batteries, flashlights, new underwear (men’s and women’s and children, all sizes), new shoes, all sizes for men women and children, socks, baby wipes, diapers, bath body soaps and shampoo, men’s and women’s deodorant, charcoal, blue water containers (empty), cleaning supplies, blankets and Clorox wipes.
The Dayton Police Department is coordinating its relief efforts on behalf of Rhea of Hope Ministries in Dayton.
“The Dayton Police Department will be accepting donations for the East Tennessee victims of Hurricane Helene, on behalf of Rhea of Hope Ministries in Dayton,” department officials announced on Monday. “You can drop off donations from now until Thursday, Oct. 3, during normal office hours, which are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will then take your donations to Rhea of Hope to be distributed. All donations should be new and unopened in their original packaging. Some ideas for donations include easy-to-open and ready-to-eat foods, hygiene products, diapers, wipes, batteries, flashlights and drinking water.”
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