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Dresden Seeks Volunteers, Monetary Donations Amid Tornado Recovery

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DRESDEN — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently completed an assessment of tornado-related damage to structures in Dresden and other cities in Weakley County. In its assessment, FEMA determined there were 187 residential structures and 21 businesses damaged or destroyed as a result of the deadly December 10 tornado outbreak that traveled through parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky and damaged several structures in Samburg, Tennessee, and Mayfield, Kentucky.

As FEMA works to complete a total estimated dollar value of the damage caused by the tornado, the city of Dresden is in need of monetary donations to help restore and rebuild the city.

The information gained from FEMA’s estimate of the damage is used to determine whether or not to recommend that the President issues a Disaster Declaration for Weakley County. If a Disaster Declaration is issued, home and business owners, as well as individuals displaced as a result of the tornado, will receive federal funding and low interest rate SBA loans to rebuild and reopen businesses.

The Dresden First Baptist Church Family Life Center’s Volunteer Center has Demolition Request forms available for persons desiring the demolition of houses or buildings destroyed by the tornado. Prior to applying for demolition, property owners should obtain consent by their insurance carrier, notify anyone with a lien or mortgage on the property, and remove all personal property inside or outside of the structure sought to be demolished. With approximately thirty applications already submitted, applications should be submitted as soon as possible.

Volunteer cleanup resumes this week with a goal of completing clearing city streets and beginning to concentrate on clearing debris on individual properties. If interested in volunteering, please check in at Dresden’s First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

At this time, Dresden’s donation center has an abundance of donations. City officials are only requesting monetary donations to aid rebuilding and restoration efforts.

Dresden Elks Lodge #2373 accepts checks made out to “Dresden Elks Lodge #2373” with “for Dresden Tornado Relief” as the note or memo. To wire transfer to the Dresden Elks Lodge Disaster Relief Fund, contact Donny Smith at 731-571-4008 for routing and other information.

To donate to the Dresden Rotary Club, Venmo @DresdenRotaryTornadoReliefFund or mail a check to the Dresden Rotary Club Tornado Relief Fund at P.O. Box 652, Dresden, Tenn., 38225. The Dresden Rotary Club has also partnered with the Weakley County Backpack Program for end of year 501(c)3 charitable donations. The program accepts donations on behalf of the Dresden Rotary Club while their foundation is established. Indicate on the check that it is for Dresden Rotary Tornado Relief, and the Dresden Rotary Club will receive the funds. To donate, mail checks to P.O. Box 804 or take a check to any Simmons Bank location.

The Martin Business Association has a GoFundMe for the city of Dresden, and Farm Bureau generated a donation link “For Farmers Affected by the Tornado.” Refer to Weakley County’s website under the “Tornado Resources” tab for donation links and more information.