Earlier this summer — such as in July — many in our hometown fell victim to falling trees and property damaged caused by those menacing gusts of wind that brought their big blow but very little rain.
And what about March 2?
Remember? Many Bradley County families will never forget. It too was a tornado that followed a similar path to those that ransacked our area 16 months ago. Homes were destroyed. Damage was extensive. Thankfully, lives were spared with no serious injuries. Yet, this too was a nightmare. The fact that it fell within a year of the April 27 twisters made it all the more frightening.
It is this storm to which we refer today because a critical deadline approaches.
Anyone who was impacted by the March 2 tornado, and who has not yet sought assistance from the Bradley County Long-Term Recovery Organization, should do so no later than Tuesday, Sept. 4. This is the final opportunity.
Lisa Mantooth, LTRO case manager supervisor who was named to the role shortly after the April 27 tragedies, continues to work with families recovering from both storm fronts. She and LTRO recovery director Jim Polier are making every effort to wrap up the work of this critical organization whose impact on our community’s rebuild has been nothing short of amazing.
Yet, no one wants to bring a halt to such an invaluable initiative if needs are still unmet.
This is the importance of the coming deadline for those impacted by the March 2 twister.
“Anyone who had damage from the March 2 tornado needs to contact us at the LTRO, to meet and discuss your situation and to see if there are any needs you may have and if there are things that we can do to assist you,” Mantooth told our newspaper.
Projects continue for the survivors of the April 27, 2011, storms and the March 2 twister. Yet, if anyone remains whose needs have not been addressed from the March 2 tornado, they should step up immediately.
Since the March 2 storm, LTRO has met with several families affected. Her concern is others might still exist who struggle in their own recovery, and who didn’t know they might be eligible for the same type of help that LTRO has given to so many Bradley County families from the April 27, 2011, tornadoes.
“They may not have known about the LTRO, or thought they were going to be fine and could handle it on their own, or maybe there is something that they didn’t think about and they want to contact me to see if there is anything we can do for them,” the busy case manager explained.
If any of the above scenarios exist, we encourage area residents to make contact with LTRO before it is too late.
Mantooth may be contacted at the LTRO office which, since its inception, has been located in the United Way of Bradley County building on Ocoee Street. She may be reached by telephone at 423-479-2020, or through email at LTROCM@gmail.com.
