Haslam orders health aid for Irma evacuees
NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam on Saturday signed an executive order ensuring evacuees fleeing Hurricane Irma can get needed medical treatment and services as they come into Tennessee.
Among other provisions, the order grants Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner discretion to allow Florida-licensed physicians and other health professionals to assist evacuees staying in Tennessee. The order will remain in effect until Sept. 25.
Pharmacists will be allowed to dispense 14-day supplies of prescription drugs to evacuees, who also will be able to access the WIC supplemental nutrition program and receive kidney dialysis and special children’s services.
Haslam’s order says the temporary suspension of state law “is necessary to cope with the current emergency situation resulting from Hurricane Irma.”
President Donald Trump and Govs. Nathan Deal, of Georgia, and Kay Ivey, of Alabama, have issued emergency declarations in response to Irma, which began whipping south Florida on Saturday.
One of the main traffic routes out of Florida is Interstate 75, which traverses all of Georgia and Tennessee.
Earlier Saturday, 40 Tennessee Department of Health nurses were expected to leave from the Volunteer Air National Guard Armory in Chattanooga to work with local, state and federal officials in Florida as part of the hurricane response. The nurse strike teams will base their operations out of Tallahassee, Fla., for what officials say will be an eight- to 14-day deployment.
› In Chattanooga, a shelter for evacuees is open at East Brainerd Church of Christ, 7745 East Brainerd Road.
The Red Cross encourages anyone coming to an emergency shelter to bring personal items for each member of their family: prescription and emergency medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and important documents. Remember to pack children’s items, such as diapers, formula and toys, as well as necessities for family members with unique needs.
› The horse barn and some RV slots at Mountain Cove Farms Resort in Walker County, Ga., will be open for Irma evacuees, county spokesman Joe Legge said in a news release. There are 20 horse stalls and 25 RV slips available.
Horses must be geldings or mares, with paperwork showing they are negative for Coggins. Stalls are $10 per day, and owners must supply bedding, grain and hay.
RV camping rates are $20 per day and include hook-ups for water, power (50 amps) and access to an onsite graywater dump station and garbage dumpster. The resort has a country store, restaurant and disc golf course.
Mountain Cove Farms Resort is at 994 Dougherty Gap Road in Chickamauga, Ga. Evacuees should contact Jenna Stevens by phone or text at 423-3157828 to reserve a spot.
Also in Walker County, the Mountain View Estates mobile home community has RV parking spaces available for people fleeing the hurricane. Contact is through the website, www.mtnviewestates,com, instant message on Facebook, or call 423-760-4819.