Disaster Relief

Greater Chattanooga REALTORS®' hearts go out to those whose homes and businesses were impacted by the storms on April 12-13. So that we can know the best way to assist, please provide any information about members who incurred damage OR assistance resources to info@gcar.net.

REALTOR® RELIEF FUND – Up to $1000 PER HOUSEHOLD

For anyone (not limited to REALTORS®) whose property was affected by the tornado in the Greater Chattanooga area on April 12-13, you may apply for mortgage/rent assistance from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) via the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF). You do not need to be a REALTOR® to apply. The RRF will provide up to $1,000 to each qualified applicant while funds remain available.

TN Residents click here to apply for RRF assistance via Tennessee REALTORS®. Deadline to apply is July 30, 2020.

GA Residents click here to apply for RRF assistance via Georgia REALTORS®. Deadline to apply is July 15, 2020.

Also, Georgia Association members whose homes and/or business incurred damage can apply for additional assistance via the Georgia Association of REALTORS®.

Not a tornado victim and want to help? Donate to the REALTOR® Relief Fund.

Announcements & Updates

Relief Funds: The Salvation Army has said that they have unused funding for tornado victims. Visit their website to apply.

The Long Term Donation site for the tornado victims will be located at: 5040 Layton Lane (near Collegedale Airport) Apison, TN 37302. Hours of Operations 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Accepting NEW ITEMS ONLY! Clothing, personal hygiene products, baby items, etc. Also accepting gently used furniture and tools. Questions? Contact Rhonda Haight at (423) 236-4273. 

Federal Disaster Declaration Will Provide Needed Aid to East, Southeast Tennessee Counties Recovering from Deadly Tornadoes - Link to FEMA Application

Chattanooga Police Urge Residents to Stay Home: Please remain in your homes. It is safer to be in your homes right now. Wires, trees down. Please stay off the roads to allow emergency crews to get through and to people who need help. 

Storm Damage: Most impact Southeast of I-75 @ I-24 to GA line towards Collegedale to just short of Bradley Co line. Please avoid this area.

Intersections to be treated as 4-way stop: Per City of Chattanooga, if you have to drive anywhere, please treat intersections as a four-way stop. Due to widespread power outages some traffic signals may not be working. We are asking that you do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to.

Hamilton County Sheriffs Stationed in Affected Zones:  Beginning April 13 and until further notice, law enforcement personnel will be stationed at key intersections surrounding the tornado/storm damaged areas. In the evening hours starting at 8:00 pm and lasting until 7:00 am, only confirmed residents will be allowed to enter the damaged areas.These restrictions are being implemented in an effort to protect the safety and personal property of the residents affected by last night’s tornado. Road crews and utility linemen continue to clear roadways and debris in order to access damaged areas and restore utilities.

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau Issuing Burn Permits

Chattanooga Area Road Closures

Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management: Debris Management

○ Per FEMA — the last day to have it all removed is June 1.

○ The City of Chattanooga’s Department of Public Works has hired Crowder Gulf to help collect debris, but officials said it’s important to place the debris on their curb properly, otherwise code enforcement will tag piles as improperly sorted and the resident would have to pay a fine.

○ If you believe that a debris pile has been improperly tagged you can call 423-643-6311.

○ Place debris on the curbside in six categories — electronics, large appliances, hazardous waste, vegetative debris + household garbage.

○ Do not put it on block fire hydrants, roadways, trees, poles or other structures that make removal difficult.

○ Do not pay anyone to remove debris. The city and it’s contractor will do it for free.

FYI: Crowder Gulf has also subcontracted with Lawn Rescue and Haul Away, so residents may see these logos on trucks picking up debris as well.

○ Curbside pickup of eligible storm debris is free for citizens. Eligible debris is debris that was generated directly by the weather event.

○ City officials ask that residents do not take their debris to any refuse centers because the centers would not be able to handle the volume.

○ Homeowners whose homes have been fully demolished by the storms should call 311 to discuss debris pickup options.

Realtime Updates From Local Agencies:

Emergency & Medical Needs

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies. Non-emergencies, call 423-698-2525.

Donate Blood at Blood Assurance: By Appointment Only. Call 800.962.0628. OR Text BAGIVE to 999777. OR visit bloodassurance.org/schedule

Information/ Volunteer Opportunities

City of Chattanooga Tornado Relief Volunteer Update - How to Volunteer

Hamilton Family YMCA - Shallowford Rd.

  • Curbside Pickup: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Donation Dropoff: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Food/Shower Availability: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Beginning Monday, April 20. Additional volunteer efforts will be taking place throughout the impacted area. Information on how to get involved with these volunteer efforts next week can be found below.

  • Red Cross
  • The Salvation Army
  • Samaritan's Purse (423-883-0726): To volunteer, call or come to Calvary Chapel Chattanooga at 7:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. (Monday-Saturday) for orientation and assignments. The sizes of teams are limited due to COVID-19 and projects will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • East Hamilton High School Tornado Relief Supply Center-Open Monday-Friday from 10 to 3 p.m this week for drop-off or pick-up of needed items.
  • Ooltewah Church of Christ: Food & Supply Giveaway - Mon-Friday 3-6pm. Handing out free food and supplies.
  • Collage Dale Community Church: Supplies/food/clothes will be available starting at 10 am Monday morning (through 5ish). 
  • Ooltewah High School is here to help with food, water, cleaning supplies, diapers, toiletries, clothes in all sizes, shoes, etc.
     
Housing & Shelter

American Red Cross of Tennessee: For site placement, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

McKee’s Employee Recreation Center (10620 Apison Pike): Open daily for people to use the showers from 6-8am and 6-8pm daily.

www.gcar.net/rentals is real-time listings of rentals available via our residential Multiple Listing Service.

Local hotels and other entities offering housing assistance:

  • BODE: A modern Chattanooga-based hotel, is also opening up its doors by providing discounted rates to support first responders and locals who have been affected by the tornado. To inquire about a room, email them here.
  • Chattanooga Property Management: Rentals
  • Bridgecity Realty: Rentals
  • Maclellan Apartments: Fully furnished one-bedroom and two-bedroom available now for 3 to 15 month lease terms. Call 423-498-2106.
  • Marriott’s SpringHill Suites: The American Red Cross is offering 50 free rooms to people and families in need at the hotel's Ooltewah location. To qualify for a room, your home must be in unlivable or hazardous conditions. Approved residents can put their name on the waiting list by visiting the Marriott and talking to the Red Cross in person.
  • Moxy Chattanooga: Emergency Relief Rate = $84/night. Reserve by calling 423-664-1180.
  • Olympus Property: Contact Heather.Richardson@OlympusProperty.com for temporary or permanent housing with no upfront fees.
  • Spring Hill Suites-Ooltewah: Contact Constance.Coffman@Marriott.com.  
Meals, Food, Clean-Up & Contractor Services

Bellhops: A 50% discount on moving services through the end of April to tornado victims. There is a "pay what you can" option so that nobody in need of assistance is denied. Bellhops is partnering with Vibrant Meals to coordinate free meals for tornado victims. Bellhops' customer service representatives will connect tornado victims with Vibrant Meals to receive free meals.

BabyQuip: Free baby equipment rental. 423-401-8715

Crisis Cleanup Hotline: 844-965-1386. Connects those in need to local relief organizations to help with clean up.

East Brainerd Baptist Church: Click here to apply.

Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga: Access thier list of local contractors for a variety of needs (i.e., debris removal, basements, roofs, concrete, drywall, etc.)

Ooltewah Church of Christ: Supply and food pick up

Perimeter Roofing: Free roof tarping. 423-645-6999

Quest Collision Center: Automotive assistance (towing/window patching)

Red Cross:  1-800-733-2767 – helping provide assistance to those who were affected by the tornado (shelter and clothes)

Samaritan’s Purse: Stationed at the Calvary Chapel parking lot on South Broad Street. To place an order for yard and house restoration assistance, call 423-883-0726.

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief: Services include clearing debris for home/driveway access, tarping damaged roofs, removing fallen trees off home/vehicles, and flooding. Workers are trained volunteers. It is a FREE service to those in need. Call 615.306.8989. Or, stop by any day this week, 8am-5:00p, at the Command Center in the parking lot of Concord Baptist Church. Located at 7025 East Brainerd Rd.

Tennessee Department of Commerce & InsuranceConsumer Disaster Recovery Resources

Tennessee Department of Human Services: Get info about SNAP program

United Way’s 211 team:  Dial 2-1-1 or (423) 265-8000

Venue Church: Contact care@venuechurch.com for meals, food, and clean-up.

Supplies Needed & Where to Donate

The Long Term Donation site for the tornado victims will be located at: 5040 Layton Lane (near Collegedale Airport) Apison, TN 37302. Hours of Operations 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Accepting NEW ITEMS ONLY! Clothing, personal hygiene products, baby items, etc. Also accepting gently used furniture and tools. Questions? Contact Rhonda Haight at (423) 236-4273.

City of Chattanooga Tornado Relief Volunteer Update - Supply Request List & Restrictions & Where to Donate/Pick-Up

Hamilton Family YMCA: 7430 Shallowford Road