Hamilton County Emergency Management officials said the assessments phase relating to the devastating Easter storm continues today (Wednesday). Currently, 2,500 properties have been assessed, 12,500 still need to be surveyed for damage.
Damage Assessment Teams are still visiting Chattanooga, Soddy Daisy, East Ridge, Ooltewah and the unincorporated areas to survey damaged areas.
First Responders continue to stage at the Silverdale Baptist Church (Bonny Oaks) and continue to help with assessment efforts and assist residents with immediate needs.
A Volunteer Reception and Donation Center will be located at the Hamilton Family YMCA at 7430 Shallowford Road. This center is not open yet, officials emphasized.
The YMCA is scheduled to open on Thursday to welcome volunteers and donations for the storm victims.
Officials said, "Please refrain from showing up at the YMCA to volunteer. Volunteers need to pre-register at www.cha.city/volunteer<http://www.cha.city/volunteer>
Donations needed:
• Non-Perishable food
• Bottled water
• Work gloves
• Unused packing boxes
• Plastic storage containers
Roads continue to be impassable in some areas. Hamilton County and city of Chattanooga Public Works continue to clear roads of heavy debris and trees.
EPB is requesting that homeowners refrain from wiring their generators directly to their electric panel at their home but to use extension cords from the generator to their electronic devices, lighting, etc.
Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and the Hamilton County Highway Department are asking tornado victims to separate all debris at their residences in the following categories:
1. Vegetation (Trees, leaves and brush). Logs from tree debris should be no longer than eight feet.
2. Construction Debris (building materials, drywall, lumber, furniture, mattresses, plumbing)
3. White goods (appliances, electronics and any metals)
4. Hazardous Materials (oil, batteries, pesticides, paints, cleaning supplies, compressed gas)
If the debris is not separated, it will not be collected.
All debris needs to be placed on the right of way at the curb of their residence. Do not place on the street.
Household trash should be set out with regular weekly curbside garbage pick-up.
Helpful hints:
* Share piles with neighbors.
* Doors of refrigerator/freezer must be removed.
Due to the amount of area damaged by the tornado, debris removal may take several weeks or months for all debris to be removed from their residence.