Tennesseans ‘still fighting’ for relief 1 month after tornado outbreak
“It’s just going to be expenses after expenses,” she said as she looked at the damage.
Clarksville, Tenn. (WSMV) - Tuesday, Jan. 9, marks one month since deadly tornados ripped through Clarksville.
”I haven’t slept well since the tornado,” Raina Fullerton said. Another sleepless night on Monday, she says fire alarms were sounding off throughout the night.
A month ago, her Clarksville home was damaged when a piece of metal crashed into her home and barely missed the closet, she and her daughter were in.
”It’s just going to be expenses after expenses,” she said as she looked at the damage.
Since then, Fullerton said not much has changed,
”It’s just like every day I wake up and I try to think okay, we’re gonna do this we’re gonna make the calls we’re gonna get somewhere today and I just feel like I’m still in the same spot that I was a month ago.”
She said she was denied assistance from FEMA and is currently in an appeal process with the American Red Cross.
WSMV4 talked to the organization and they said assistance is typically given based on if your home is livable. Since Fullerton’s home is considered livable, according to her insurance, she said she keeps running into roadblocks.
“I know it’s been a month but my god it’s just it’s a lot and I know there are so many people going through it too,” she said.
That, paired with random sirens, the fear of break-ins and more storms headed to Tennessee, she said, ”I’ve got holes in my roof. It’s a tarp, and I just pray constantly that no more water damage or anything that nothing gets worse.”
The last month has been overwhelming for her, but being a mother is what’s pushing her forward.
”I’m the only person. I have a 7-year-old. I’m the only one. I have to keep going but it’s hard,” Fullerton said.
After talking to the Red Cross – they sent a case worker to Fullerton’s home. The organization added they’re directing people to the Mosaic Church in Clarksville if they can’t get assistance through other avenues.
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