Tornado victims who live in the Hickory Hill area say they are mad because they are not getting the help they need.

Neighbors say insurance adjusters have come to the area, as well as volunteers who are helping clean up, but they say they have not received any aid from Memphis or Shelby County government officials.

"Usually when people care, you know by there actions," said Hickory Hill resident Steve Gray. "Someone should have been here by now."

"When you consider it was Tuesday and then this is Friday and no one has come down here from local government."

Resident Andrea Uzrail agrees.

"Where is our government? We want to know." Uzrail said.

Mayor Herenton's spokesperson says Herenton has been out in the neighborhoods, but people in the neighborhood are not buying it.

"They can say a lot of things to make it sound better, but the bottom line is someone should have been out here."

Police officers have been patrolling the area, but clean up efforts have been left to volunteer groups. Residents say they feel like they are on their own.

The Mayor's offices of both the city and county say the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is in charge of coordinating aid for residents.

Bob Nations is the Director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness, which coordinates disaster relief. He says while victims are cleaning up the damage, his office has been trying to coordinate getting things back to noral and getting the area declared a federal disaster area. He says his office is also trying to coordinate volunteer efforts from groups such as the Red Cross.

Beginning Saturday, February 9, 2008, a storm victim assistance center will open at the Hickory Hill Community Center, located at 3910 Ridgeway. The center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You must prove residency with a driver's license or mail bearing your address.

What do you think? It's your turn to Speak Up! Memphis.