BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Tennessee is facing the aftermath of a couple of deadly tornadoes from this week. With winds up to 175 mph and at least 24 people killed, volunteers are accepting the call to help, including one from Kern County.
Red Cross volunteer and Bakersfield nurse Susan Filoteo left Wednesday to support relief efforts in the destruction.
Filoteo recently retired from her second career and has volunteered with Red Cross for over 10 years in Kern County. Her career as a nurse made her a key service member and has allowed her to support those affected by disasters both big and small, according to Red Cross Kern County.
Her experience responding to disasters includes the Erskine Fire, Hurricane Matthew, and the Oso Mudslide.
Red Cross said that when asked why she wanted to go to Tennessee, Fileteo said, "I wanted to do my part, and that's exactly why I joined Red Cross. My job is to help people who have suffered and see how I can help."
An EF-4 tornado hit Putnam County, and anEF-3 tornado slammed Davidson and Wilson counties before dawn Tuesday, the National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday.
24 people were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed when the tornadoes tore through the state.
Although some people were reported missing in Putnam County after the storms, all were accounted for Thursday morning, county spokeswoman Molly Brown said.
The governor of Tennessee declared an emergency and sent the National Guard to help with search-and-rescue efforts. An unspecified number of people were missing, according to the Associated Press.
