Yesterday, residents and business owners in the Gatlinburg, TN communities impacted by wildfires were allowed to return to their homes and businesses for a brief period of time.  The Rev. Jim Korzun, pastor, Our Savior, Gatlinburg, has confirmed that the congregation's building is intact.  Two of the congregation's families lost their homes.  Our Savior will be worshipping this Sunday at a Baptist congregation in Sevierville, TN.  

Local officials are still not allowing volunteers into the area until mid or later next week. They ask that all donations of materials and supplies be paused for now as they continue to identify and prepare warehouse space to store supplies which will be necessary for immediate response and long-term disaster recovery.  

The graphic below depicts the cycle of disaster management. In these immediate days following both the wildfires and tornadoes that touched down not far from Gatlinburg, the focus is on securing the impacted areas, initial damage assessments, and establishing infrastructure that will support an organized and efficient response and long-term recovery process.  Supplies and volunteers will be needed well into the future.