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Latest Wildfire update
Work continues in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to control those wild fires. Tennessee Emergency Management Director Dean Flener said personnel have conducted some very preliminary surveys of damaged areas and estimates that "hundreds of structures have been lost; Westgate Resorts (with more than 100 buildings) is likely entirely gone and Black Bear Falls has likely lost every cabin." Flener had earlier said he understood that Ober Gatlinburg was entirely destroyed but he later announced that the mountaintop resort is OK. A number of persons with severe burns were transferred from the University of Tennessee’s Medical Center to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville,however no fatalities have been confirmed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Tennessee to fight the fires. This authorization makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the firefighting costs, including labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed all facilities in the park due to the extensive fire activity, and downed trees. Park Headquarters is currently without power and phone services. Flener said the American Red Cross is assist Sevier County residents after officials ordered evacuations for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge. A total of 1,200 people also have sheltered at the Gatlinburg Community Center and at the Rocky Top Sports Park. Wind gusts Monday evening tore off portions of the Smoky Mountains Elementary School roof as basketball practice was underway. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes told the NewsSource that the roof did not collapse, no debris fell onto the 40 occupants and there were no injuries.The subsequent rain was able to fall through the roof onto the gym floor, the sheriff said . The Cocke County Fire Department, volunteer fire units and the Newport Rescue Squad responded to the scene. Sheriff Fontes said his deputies spent to night assisting residents to leave Gatlinburg. "I can't say enough about the cooperation of the various departments," the sheriff said. A high wind watch is in effect for Cocke and Sevier Counties tonight and Wednesday. Ways to aid in disaster relief can be found by visiting redcross.org/donate. To volunteer with the American Red Cross during the wildfire recovery, visit on-line redcross.org/volunteers. And donations are being accepted at the Pigeon Forge Fire Hall Station 1 (865-429-7381). Newport Grammar School will be accepting donations in partnership with the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency: Items most needed are:Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, hair brushes, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, women's personal items, baby wipes, and diapers. Clothing items will also be accepted however hygiene items are most needed.
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