MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- Middle Tennesseans are always willing to lend a hand and Hurricane Florence is no exception.
Tennessee Emergency Management is coordinating at least a dozen mid-state rescue teams at work in the Carolinas, along with medical teams, and ambulance crews.
Line crews from Rutherford and Coffee Counties are already at work in the area as well.
Volunteer groups like Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief says it has 20 crews ready to head east to lend a hand.
The Church of Christ Disaster Reliefgroup says its Nashville warehouse has 12 tractor trailers packed with enough food to feed 3600 families for a week. Director Mike Lewis says he’s just waiting for word from local officials that roads are passable."
“As soon as we get the word that says, ‘Yes, we’re high and dry and you can get to us and not going to put anybody in harm’s way,’ then we’ll have them on their way.”
If you’d like to make a tax deductible contribution, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is accepting donations. Foundation spokesman Pat Embry says the charity will forward 100 percent of your gift to reputable, experienced, local organizations.
"WWW.CFMT.ORG is where you go to access the fund. We couldn’t make it any easier. You just check a box, or fill in your own amount and we take care of all the tax forms and all that."
Experts say you should never simply show up in a disaster area hoping to help. You could end up hampering efforts more than you help. They also strongly advise against sending unsolicited supplies, especially used items such as clothing and home furnishings.