Deadly tornadoes ripped through the Middle Tennessee area overnight Monday. The hardest-hit area was Putnam County, which is about 90 minutes west of Knoxville.
The county has 18 confirmed fatalities and 17 still missing.
People are asked to stay out of the area so that crews can work on cleaning up and restoring power to the area. However, you can help right here close to home.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is in critical need of O Positive and O Negative blood donations. Critical status means that there is less than a two-day supply of blood on the shelves for that blood type.
The Knoxville locations sent blood supply to Putnam County on Tuesday but they are still in need. It takes three days for blood donations to be processed so this is an immediate need.
You can donate at the Downtown Knoxville, Farragut, Athens and Crossville locations. MEDIC will have a mobile bus onsite at the Crossville Center from 12-7 PM today for those to donate. The center is located at 79 N. Main St.
All O Positive and O Negative donors will receive a $10 E-Gift card via email as well as a Texas Roadhouse coupon and MEDIC gift.