A blood drive this week on the MTSU campus will help with the increased need of blood supplies in area hospitals for emergency use. This is especially true with Tropical Storm Francine moving inwards.

The annual 100 Miles of Hope Red Cross Blood Drive competition between MTSU and Conference USA rival Western Kentucky University is currently underway and will conclude Wednesday evening. The drive is being held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day inside the gymnasium of the Student Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center (1848 Blue Raider Drive).

Meanwhile, volunteers with the American Red Cross are preparing to help those impacted by Tropical Storm Francine in communities along the gulf coast. According to numerous weather models, Francine is bringing life-threatening conditions into the Gulf of Mexico as it turns into a hurricane. Landfall is expected to occur in Louisiana early Wednesday morning.

Flash flooding is likely in multiple states over the next five days as Tropical Storm Francine moves in. Some cities in Louisiana and Mississippi face a 40% risk of flash flooding.

Locally, in Rutherford County, there is a 5% to 14% chance of flash flooding during the next five days. The threat increases as you move westward, with areas in West Tennessee seeing a heightened risk ranging from 15% to 39%.

The American Red Cross is calling for volunteers to step forward, as the demand for Shelter Associate disaster volunteers has surged this hurricane season. Those who are prepared to swiftly respond to disasters and can commit for two weeks both within and beyond their local communities, are urgently needed.

Disaster-trained volunteers from areas like Rutherford County are ready to respond across multiple states as Tropical Storm Francine charges toward the western Gulf Coast with heavy rain, dangerous flash flooding, damaging winds and a life-threatening storm surge. In advance of landfall, the Red Cross is mobilizing hundreds of trained workers, emergency response vehicles and thousands of relief supplies and ready-to-eat meals.

Severe weather can cause widespread devastation, displacing thousands of people and leaving them without necessities like food, water, and shelter. In these critical moments, the presence of well-trained disaster volunteers can make a significant difference in the recovery process.

The Tennessee Red Cross is offering a series of in-person Shelter Volunteer Training sessions on the following dates in September at these locations:

• Thursday, September 12, 2024|
  Nashville Area Chapter: 2201 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 | 1 – 5 p.m. CT
• Monday, September 16, 2024
  East TN Chapter: 6921 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37909 | 12 – 5 p.m. EST
• Saturday, September 21, 2024
  Mid-South TN Chapter: 1399 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT

Disaster volunteers provide immediate relief and comfort and lay the groundwork for the recovery of affected communities. Their selfless dedication and rapid response are essential in mitigating the impact of hurricanes and aiding those in need during their most vulnerable times.

• For more information on the Shelter Volunteer training, please contact GiveTime@redcross.org
• To complete an application to volunteer with the Tennessee Red Cross, please visit https://rdcrss.org/3LQyBhv

About the American Red Cross:  The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.

The Tennessee Region serves all 95 counties in Tennessee, Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto and Tunica counties in Mississippi. The Tennessee Region – part of a nationwide network of locally supported chapters - is comprised of the following eight Red Cross chapters: East Tennessee, Heart of Tennessee, Mid-South, Mid-West Tennessee, Nashville Area, Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Tennessee and Tennessee River. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.

A blood drive this week on the MTSU campus will further assist in fullfilling the need of increased blood to have on hand at área blood banks within local hospitals.