Red Cross Responds to Deadly Weekend Tornadoes

Written by Mason Booth, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

May 5, 2003 — For the past 30 years, the 1,200 residents of Pierce City, Mo., have enjoyed quiet, tornado-free skies. On Sunday, however, everything changed in a matter of minutes, when a powerful twister touched down and tore through the heart of the historic town, leveling the downtown area and leaving little unscathed.

Call the Red Cross Hotline 1-866-GET-INFO, for: Shelter locations Assistance Programs Information on Affected Areas Disaster Safety and Preparedness Information

”The damages here are overwhelming,” said Michael Spencer, spokesperson for the American Red Cross, as he navigated debris-ridden roads. “The entire downtown area and about 100 homes have been pretty much flattened.”

Yesterday’s twister in Pierce City was just one of an estimated 80 that touched down in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee, killing at least 34 people and sending hundreds of American Red Cross volunteers into action.

Already, over a dozen Red Cross shelters have opened throughout the affected states to give displaced families a place where they can sleep, get vital information about available assistance, have a hot meal, talk with a mental health worker or meet with a health services worker about any of their healthcare needs.

”Many of the families here in Pierce City are returning home today and finding that they’ve lost everything,” Spencer said. “We’ll have Red Cross volunteers by their side though to help them cope with the disaster.”

Meanwhile, Red Cross damage assessment workers are scouring the affected areas to determine the extent of the widespread devastation. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) outfitted to deliver food, water, comfort and hygiene supplies are circulating throughout region, as are mobile kitchens, which can serve 5,000 meals per day.

”All of the local chapters in each of the states are working round-the-clock to meet the needs of the residents and we will continue to help the storm victims until we’re no longer needed,” Spencer said.

Family members with loved ones in the tornado-impacted areas are urged to call the Red Cross toll-free information and resource hotline 1-866-GET-INFO, which works to connect separated families. Callers to this hotline can also learn shelter locations, recovery and preparedness information, where and how to receive Red Cross assistance or speak with a mental health counselor who can help those coping with the emotional trauma from the tornadoes.

Preparedness Urged As Warnings Continue

Click here for answers to some common questions about tornadoes and tornado safety.

As severe weather moves towards Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia, the American Red Cross is urging residents in the storm's path to prepare now by:

• Creating and Practicing a Home Tornado Plan: Pick an uncluttered place where family members could seek shelter: a basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor.

• Assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and other emergency items for the whole family.

• Heeding Storm Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado WARNING is issued, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.

• Preparing for High Winds: Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

Your Help is Needed

You can help the Red Cross assist victims of this and thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Related Links:

• American Red Cross Rushes Relief to Tornado-Ravaged Midwest
• Disaster Safety - Tornado
• Family Disaster Planning
• Disaster Supplies Kit
• Children & Disasters

Send this article to a Friend or Colleague. . . Send to e-mail address: Your name: Your e-mail: Your comments:

Tell us what you think! Was this article informative? lowest 1 2 3 4 5 highest Did it inspire you to help or get involved? lowest 1 2 3 4 5 highest Would you return to read similar articles? lowest 1 2 3 4 5 highest How could this article better meet your needs? If you would like a response please include your e-mail address.