TTU Assisting In Flood Relief For 188 Students From Affected Area

Tennessee Tech doing its part to help the student population from Humphreys and Hickman Counties after this weekend’s flash flooding.

University Service Center Assistant Director Michelle Huddleston said 188 students are from the effected area.

“That is actually a significant amount to us,” Huddleston said. “So, we have resources like the counseling center. We have an Eagle Assist grant that might be able to help them replace items they have lost. Of course, we want to be able to support them.”

Huddleston said Adjunct Professor Don Sowers on the grounds at Waverly Tuesday helping establish a volunteer center. Huddleston said he is relaying back to the university what residents and crews need most.

“He has requested items such as rakes, flat shovels, brooms and floor squeegees,” Huddleston said. “So, we’re going to try and get some of that taken out to him on Friday, but beyond that, we are going to start collecting items like toiletries, flashlights, batteries.”

Huddleston said student groups in Cookeville will work on gathering the supplies. Huddleston said supply drops will run throughout the semester as well as other efforts.

“They are looking at setting an account with Regions Bank for cash donations,” Huddleston said. “We have one of our student service organizations taking the lead on those sort of things. Students are going to be able to as early as Saturday sign up with Team Rubicon to begin the muck out.”

Huddleston said the university also asks for nursing students to assist the Red Cross and communication majors to volunteer at call centers. Twenty-two people died from the flash flooding on Saturday.