When the skies start looking ugly over Wilson County, officials want residents to move sooner rather than later. The county is steering people to two designated storm shelters any time severe weather ramps up enough to trigger a tornado watch, and they are making it clear they do not want anyone waiting around for a full-blown tornado warning.
Shelter locations
The county has identified two temporary public shelters: Lebanon First United Methodist Church at 415 West Main Street in Lebanon and the Mount Juliet Police Department headquarters at 1019 Charlie Daniels Parkway in Mount Juliet. County officials say those sites will open whenever a tornado watch is issued for parts of Wilson County, according to NewsChannel 5.
Pets, volunteers and what to bring
The county's social post, embedded above, notes that pets are allowed at the Lebanon church site as long as they are leashed or otherwise properly secured, citing the Wilson County Sheriff's Office on Facebook. People looking to help with staffing or supplies are being channeled through the local Volunteer Network, with sign-ups and coordination tools available through Volunteer Network.
Wilson County Emergency Management also urges residents to keep an emergency kit ready, have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, and identify a safe interior room at home in advance, according to Wilson County EMA.
Why officials want a permanent site
County emergency managers say that a permanent, dedicated shelter would save precious time and cut down on the scramble that comes with opening temporary sites every time storms roll through. Maegan Eldridge of Wilson County EMA has said she hopes the county can secure a standing shelter where staff can pre-stock supplies and avoid last-minute checks on borrowed venues, as reported by WSMV.
How to stay informed
For official word on when shelters are activated and what resources are available, residents are encouraged to monitor the embedded social post and the Wilson County Emergency Management website, or call the agency's non-emergency line. For media or organizational questions about volunteering, local coverage points to the EMA public information contact noted by WSMV, along with the Volunteer Network listed above. The county's emergency line is also posted on the EMA website.
