Volunteers Prepare for Hurricane Assistance

The Volunteer State is living up to its nickname as volunteers and first responders gear up to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
Officials said it is too early to know how many people from Middle Tennessee could be sent to help storm victims. The first group deployed will focus on setting up evacuation shelters. After the storm makes landfall, the focus will switch to cleanup and recovery.
Officials said they are preparing for some long days and weeks ahead.
Hurricane Florence is currently a Category 4 storm as it churns toward the East Coast. It is expected to make landfall on Friday morning.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. As many as 1 million people are expected to evacuate, and some may end up in Tennessee.
Several hotels in Cookeville and Putnam County announced discounted rates will be available to evacuees.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is asking hurricane evacuees to check the Tennessee Welcome Center on the interstate for a list of available hotel and motel rooms.