Community

Mountain Tough

First Responders jumped into action when the fires were reported. Good Samaritans from all over the Volunteer State, along with others from across America, sprang came to assist those affected by the fires. Sevier County residents quickly began filling needs for shelter, food, water, clothes, and personal items for those in need. Local organizations began creating distribution centers and calling for donations and volunteers. The Red Cross arrived in town. Local officials created the website MountainTough.org as a central hub of information. As it turns out, this website, MountainTough.net, was simultaneously being created to document this historic event.

Dolly Parton creates the My People Fund and hosts a country music fundraiser telethon, Smoky Mountains Rise. Learn more by visiting DollywoodFoundation.org

Social media posts from the local newspaper, The Mountain Press, during week 1 of the event.

Judy Tucker, Supervisor for Sevier County 911 Dispatch blogged about the Firestorm event 2 months later. Screenshots of the Blog post can be found below. The original Blog post can be found HERE.