Fact Check: TEMA clears up confusion about donating, volunteering in East Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency responded to what it calls misinformation about volunteering and collecting donations for storm victims.

An East Nashville woman began to see that misinformation as she started collecting donations for people in East Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina.

“People chime in and say, you can’t get in, it’s totally shut down,” Rebecca Smith said. Others said donations are not being accepted.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has responded to the claims saying that they are incorrect.

“We’ve seen some misinformation going around about volunteering and donation efforts,” Melissa Egan TEMA Community Relations Officer said.

TEMA said people can take donations to East Tennessee.

TEMA officials originally posted this statement online asking people to wait on making donations efforts in the hours after the storm hit:

“Unfortunately, that message was misconstrued a bit. We are in the Volunteer State, and everyone wants to help, which is amazing to see. We were just hoping that, while the help was well intentioned, it wouldn’t hinder operations, that were lifesaving missions at the time,” Egan said.

That message has since changed.

“Some local communities and local counties are asking or have asked for assistance; local counties have established donation sites and have welcomed donations,” Egan said.

TEMA officials are advising people to coordinate with organizations when making the trips in order to keep people safe and recovery running smoothly.

Bristol Motor Speedway announced that all donations can be dropped off to them and they’re send it out to people in need all over East Tennessee. Bristol is exactly where Smith said she was headed to Friday morning.

“We just put up the sign up and already we have a nice little bundle and some more gas cans, the RV has quit a bit in there. Batteries, baby formula, diapers, flashlights. Anything that can get you through,” Smith said. “Some people lost everything; they need it.”