Fact Check: TEMA clears up confusion about donating, volunteering in East Tennessee [Video]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency responded to what it calls misinformation about volunteering and collecting donations for storm victims.

An East Nashville woman began to see that misinformation as she started collecting donations for people in East Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina.

“People chime in and say, you can’t get in, it’s totally shut down,” Rebecca Smith said. Others said donations are not being accepted.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has responded to the claims saying that they are incorrect.

“We’ve seen some misinformation going around about volunteering and donation efforts,” Melissa Egan TEMA Community Relations Officer said.

TEMA said people can take donations to East Tennessee.

TEMA officials originally posted this statement online asking people to wait on making donations efforts in the hours after the storm hit:

“Unfortunately, that message was misconstrued a bit. We are in …