Knox County, TN (WOKI) District 3 Knox County Commissioner Gina Oster is asking for the public’s help as neighborhoods in West Knox County , including hundreds of residents displaced from Lovell Crossing Apartments, work to recover from Monday’s devastating EF2 tornado.

“Lovell Crossing Apartments are in terrible shape,” said District 3 County Commissioner Gina Oster.

Speaking with WOKI Wednesday, Oster shared the needs of those displaced at Lovell Crossing who are prohibited from returning to their apartments while the power is out.

“They [the Apartments] are taking donations, collections at their office. They are there from 8:00 to 5:00, and they are handing those out to their residents who can’t get back into their apartments. [Residents] need water, diapers, toothbrushes, restaurant gift cards (that they can hand out), plastic bags . . . that kind of stuff. Just to get them up and going until we can get the power back on.”

Though utility crews are working feverishly to restore power, Oster said “a lot of people in District 3 are suffering right now.”

Oster said the Bob Gray neighborhood was also gravely impacted. “Their utilities were destroyed, millions of dollars worth of infrastructure. It’s really causing a problem with power.”

Oster says the county “is stepping up,” but is asking for the public’s assistance as well by way of donations and recovery assistance in damaged neighborhoods.

You may donate items for residents displaced at Lovell Crossing Apartments, directly through the office, between the hours of 8:00 and 5:00, or you may contact Commissioner Oster online at Gina Oster or via telephone at (865) 343-1639.