Tennessee tornadoes: Here's how to get food, shelter, other help after deadly storms

Mackensy Lunsford, Angele Latham, Evan Mealins, Molly Davis and Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean
Updated ·5 min read

This story is being offered free as a service to the public.

As utility workers pushed Monday to restore power to thousands in the aftermath of deadly storms that spawned tornadoes across Middle Tennessee and beyond, churches and the Red Cross opened at least seven emergency shelters across the area.

Volunteers sprang into action and registered to clean up debris, donate blood and bring supplies to organizations leading recovery efforts.

Here, we've gathered ways in which people still reeling from the catastrophic weekend weather can receive the avoid they need. Please email mlunsford@tennessean.com with tips, updates and more.

More Tennessee Tornadoes recovery: Here's how you can help

Shelters available across Middle Tennessee after tornadoes

First lady Maria Lee looks up at the damage left in one Maritza Pearl’s home in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power.
First lady Maria Lee looks up at the damage left in one Maritza Pearl’s home in Clarksville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee on Saturday, killing at least six people and leaving more than 160,000 Middle Tennessee residents without power.

  • Clarksville: Northeast High School, 3701 Trenton Road

  • Clarksville: New Providence United Methodist Church, 1317 Fort Campbell Blvd.

  • Clarksville: Manna Cafe Ministries, 503 D St.

  • Clarksville: Northeast High School, 3701 Trenton Road

  • Clarksville: Mosaic Church, 1020 Garrettsburd Road

  • Hendersonville: Cornerstone Church, 1410 Stop 30 Road

  • Nashville: Madison Church of Christ, 106 Gallatin Pike North and Metro's Extreme Cold Weather Overflow Shelter at 3230 Brick Church Pike, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

  • Dickson: Dickson YMCA, 225 Hensley Drive

  • Springfield: The Center – Community Center, 401 N. Main St.

Salvation Army providing disaster supplies on the ground

The Salvation Army on Monday is deploying aid in Clarksville and Madison, including food, water and supplies.

“At this time, our team is gearing up to go out into the community to provide food and emotional and spiritual care to our neighbors," said Salvation Army incident commander Philip Canning. "We expect our response to increase in other areas as they are further evaluated and the level of need across the entire area becomes known."

Area restaurants help locals in need of food, more

Sous-chef Tristan Gross tosses pizza dough as he spins it before making a pizza on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Madison, Tenn.
Sous-chef Tristan Gross tosses pizza dough as he spins it before making a pizza on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Madison, Tenn.

  • Miss Lucille's Cafe on 2231 Madison St., Suite L, in Hendersonville has food, blankets, clothing and cleaning supplies available from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

  • Pinky Ring Pizza, 414 Gallatin Pike in Madison, has also offered support to neighbors in need. "We are open today serving slices," the restaurant announced in a social media post. "We’ve got a warm shop and Wi-Fi. If you’re in need of support please reach out to our owner at don@pinkyringpizza.com 💖"

  • Nashville Jam Company, at 2806 Columbine Place Nashville, is offering a warm spot and a hot breakfast for victims of the storms.

  • TailGate Brewery of Hendersonville (248 Sanders Ferry Road) offered free slices of pizza on Dec. 11, 12-4 p.m., with no purchase necessary. "Come charge your phone, use our Wi-Fi, visit your neighbor, get a free hot slice," the brewery posted on Instagram. "We love you, Hendersonville."

  • All Golly G's locations will offer free coffee or ice cream to all first responders or volunteers helping with storm cleanup through Dec. 12.

YAIPak Outreach has water, other essentials

YAIPak Outreach provided water Monday at the Clarksville Walmart, 1680 Fort Campbell Blvd. The nonprofit also said it would have water available Tuesday at a location that would be shared on its social media channels.

The organization is accepting water donations at Living Hope Church, 1200 Winterset Dr.

Resources from United Way, Community Foundation

The United Way has joined forces with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to activate emergency relief funds.

Davidson County residents impacted by the severe weather can visit Nashville's Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.NashvilleResponds.com.

Information and resources for residents in Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery (Clarksville), Robertson (Springfield), Stewart, and Sumner (Hendersonville), Trousdale and Wilson counties can be accessed at the Tennessee VOAD website, www.tnvoad.org, or via the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s website at www.tn.gov/tema.

The United Way's 211 Helpline is also available around the clock to connect people in need with crisis help. The helpline is staffed by trained specialists who can help people access food, clothing, shelter, mental health services and more.

To self-report your needs, dial 211 or (800)318-9335, text your zip code to 898-211, or chat at 211chat.org.

U-Haul announces free self-storage services

U-Haul announced on Monday that it will offer 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage to victims of the tornadoes and thunderstorms that tore through Middle Tennessee.

“Our Hendersonville store sustained damage during these storms, so we know firsthand that our fellow Tennesseans are in need,” said U-Haul Company of North Nashville president Adam Muszynski in a press release. “As our people begin to clean up their properties, we are providing a month of free storage services for their belongings. We encourage anyone in need of a storage unit to give us a call and take advantage of our disaster relief program.”

U-Haul Moving and Storage locations offering assistance:

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee tornadoes: How to get food, heat, help after deadly storms