Local community ramps up to help Hardin County flood victims

The Hardin County Emergency Management Agency is asking residents wanting to lend a hand to local flood victims to hold off on donations – especially clothing – until an official collection point is established.
The American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at Savannah Church of Christ, and according to the local EMA, is currently doing well with what’s on hand.

Elijah Clements, 6, vigorously pulls a cart of donated goods.

Wednesday morning a semi-trailer of donated items such as water, cleaning supplies, snacks and foods arrived at the church. More than 100 volunteers were there to unload and daisy-chain boxes inside.
“We’ve tried to get as many of the young people involved as we can,” said Savannah Church of Christ member Bill Shadel, one of the organizers.
One of the youngest helpers was little 6-year-old Elijah Clements, who enthusiastically pulled a loaded cart. “He’s got a servant’s heart,” said his father, Jaime Clements.
Shadel said the truckload of goods was donated by Shiloh Distribution of Lexington, Tennessee.
The EMA says those items will stay at the church for now, but no additional donations need to be taken there.
Authorities are waiting for the water level to recede before a damage assessment can be made. Hardin County is only under a local state of emergency, not a federal declaration. It’s unknown if there will be any federal-level assistance made available, the EMA said.
Affected home and business owners who have insurance are advised to contact their insurance company as soon as possible.
The EMA reminds motorists to be extra careful. Numerous roads remain flooded. Also, Red Sulfur Road in Counce is seeing heavy log truck traffic because of the closure of Tenn. 57.