Civic Center a possible storm shelter
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While the Civic Center remains a possibility, local Red Cross director Kathy Nesmith says shelters opening in nearby Crossville and Tullahoma have reduced the likelihood.
“I never know when I may pick up the phone and get that call,” said Nesmith, who indicated regional and national Red Cross officials determine where shelters are needed. “They could give me a call tonight and say they need to have a shelter open at the Civic Center by daylight and we could do it. The Red Cross works that fast.
“But at this point, I’d say that is less likely. In this area, we’re trying to put people in individual homes where they can be more stable.”
The Red Cross will open a 250-person shelter at the National Guard Armory in Tullahoma and a 400-person shelter at the York 4-H Camp in Crossville this week. Anyone wanting to volunteer to work six-hour shifts at one of those shelters should attend a Red Cross meeting this Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Caney Fork Electric’s auditorium.
As for the chances of using McMinnville Civic Center as a shelter, Parks and Recreation director Charlene Brown says she’s prepared for that possibility.
“I’ve had a lot of local people call me who are very concerned and they are wondering why we aren’t doing that,” said Brown about using the Civic Center.
“We are waiting to see if we’re needed,” Brown added. “If we are, then we’ll alter our schedule. If we have to move events, I’m sure people will be understanding about that.”
Brown said it would require substantial community support to maintain a long-term shelter at the Civic Center, which has 12 showers and a kitchen area.
“It we turned into a shelter, everything would come to a halt because we wouldn’t be a recreation center anymore. We’d be a shelter,” Brown said.
Mayor Royce Davenport said he doesn’t think the Civic Center is an ideal place to house people for months because it would be tough on families to live in such an environment for an extended time. But he added McMinnville would do whatever it takes to accommodate the Red Cross.
“If they call, we will handle it in some way,” said Davenport. “Although I think we could find a long-term place that’s better than the Civic Center.”
The Civic Center is a designated shelter for both city and county disaster plans, although it’s usually been viewed more as a short-term option for one or two days.