Official Sevier County Government Website and Recovery Hotline Established for Disaster Relief

Sevierville, Tennessee - The Sevier County Economic Development Council, in conjunction with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, announce the creation of www.mountaintough.org. The website was named for something that Mike Werner, Mayor of Gatlinburg said, "We are Mountain Tough, and we have a strong, strong faith in God." This website will serve as a one-stop-shop for information related to the recent wildfires in Sevier County.
 
County officials have also collaborated with United Way of Greater Knoxville to announce the transition of all Sevier County wildfire recovery-related calls to East Tennessee 2-1-1.   Local residents can dial 2-1-1 toll free, and concerned citizens outside the local area can dial 865-215-4211.  The call center will operate Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.
 
The www.mountaintough.org website and 2-1-1 can provide current and accurate information on the following:
 

• Non-profit organizations that are accepting monetary donations and information on those organizations.
• How do you contribute in-kind donations such as food, clothing, toys and school supplies.
• How to schedule a drop-off of in-kind donations.
• An updated list of items currently being accepted and items that are not being accepted.
• Information on warehouse locations and victim relief centers accepting in-kind donations.
• Updated video of Gatlinburg and the area as it recovers.
• Current updates and press releases.
• A link to GIS mapping of the fire damage.
• How to volunteer to assist in the recovery efforts.
• How your organization or group can sign up to help with the recovery efforts.
• And much more.

About 2-1-1
East Tennessee 2-1-1 is an easy to remember non-emergency telephone number that provides free, confidential multilingual information and referral services that connect Tennessee residents in need with a full range of community services.  When you call, you'll get a real person, one who is trained to help you sort out your needs, and then give you specific information on where you can get help.
2-1-1 serves as the first point of access to all community services, including shelter and housing, food, substance abuse prevention/treatment, health facilities, mental health services, senior issues, financial assistance, legal assistance, child care, child and elder abuse services, disaster relief, crisis intervention, and volunteer opportunities.
 
About Sevier County Economic Development Council
Located at the gate of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Sevier County Economic Development Council, bridges the gap from business partners to city planners. Over 15 million visitors come to the county each year and the most visited National Park in the country is at the county's back door.
 
The Sevier County Economic Development Council wants to make it easy for you to move your business or industry to its county. The Council's goal is to provide information that you need on local properties, buildings and real estate that are available so that businesses can relocate or start in Sevier County.