More Twisters Tear Through Midwest

Written by Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

May 12, 2003 — The latest round of ravaging tornadoes ripped through central Illinois and parts of Kentucky and Missouri over the weekend, injuring dozens, demolishing homes and businesses and pelting the region with hail.

This neighborhood in South Pekin, Ill., was thrashed when a tornado roared through on May 10th. Image Courtesy of NOAA

With more than 300 tornadoes striking the Midwest since the beginning of May, the American Red Cross continues to expand relief operations to include newly affected regions, delivering emergency items to victims in each community.

When a twister tore through South Pekin, Ill., the Central Illinois Chapter of the Red Cross activated even as storms were still roaring through the region.

"The storms started at about 9:30 on Saturday night, and when I arrived at the chapter just after 11, the tornadoes were still wreaking havoc," said Carrie Lewis, with the Central Illinois chapter in Peoria. "South Pekin was the hardest hit area and the damage was primarily in residential areas, but some neighboring towns suffered damage in their business districts, too.

As Red Cross damage assessment teams continue to canvas the affected areas, preliminary reports show 80 homes destroyed in Illinois alone, while three people remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Twenty-seven people in Central Illinois were treated for injuries and released.

Two Red Cross shelters opened immediately following the storms but have since been closed as electricity was gradually restored to the storm-battered communities. Meanwhile, Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) continue to deliver meals and emergency supplies to victims as recovery begins.

Hundred of homes have been leveled like these in South Pekin throughout the recent onslaught of severe weather. Image Courtesy of NOAA

"It's really a wonderful combined effort from the community," said Lewis. "We are supplying the food and water for the Southern Baptist mobile kitchen, and they're doing the cooking to fill up our ERVs with hot meals."

With weather conditions unrelenting, Canton, Mo., suffered the wrath of the most recent twister in the "Show Me State," when the storm system that initially struck Illinois spawned ominous funnel clouds there as well.

As many as 40 buildings were damaged in the town of 2,500 and the Red Cross opened a shelter to house 60 residents of a local senior citizen's home. Red Cross volunteers continue to move emergency relief resources into the affected area from nearby disaster operations, including an ERV loaded with food and water.

ERVs delivering refreshements are a welcome sight to those in the disaster area.

"My grandparents' property was hurt by the tornado and my family and I rushed to clear the trees and debris from their property," said Johnna Simmons, whose grandparents live in Aurora, MO.

"Rather than having to take a break and make dinner we are able to depend on the Red Cross to help us with the meals. Not only that, the Red Cross is helping in so many other ways. We want to say thank you for everything"

Call the Red Cross Hotline 1-866-GET-INFO, for: Shelter locations Assistance Programs Information on Affected Areas Disaster Safety and Preparedness Information Or call 1-800-HELP NOW to make a donation

Winds surpassing 150 mph also roared through three counties in Central Kentucky, causing widespread wind damage. When the dangerous storm system swept across the state, twisters touched down in two counties Northeast Kentucky, injuring 17 people and damaging at least 100 homes.

Red Cross Health Services workers and damage assessment teams are assisting victims in affected areas and ERVs are delivering food and other essential items to local residents.

Without an end in sight to the tumultuous weather conditions, Red Cross volunteers and staff are working overtime to bring emergency assistance to victims while continuing to manage ongoing relief and recovery operations.

In order to provide these vital services and assistance to victims in the Midwest and throughout the U.S., the Red Cross relies on its Disaster Relief Fund. Since July 2002, the Red Cross has spent more than $85 million from the Disaster Relief Fund while responding to 230 large-scale disasters but has raised only $26 million toward these efforts. Currently, the fund has a cash balance of only $5 million.

Relief services are stretched and depleting the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is not a reserve; it is a working fund that needs continued replenishment when disaster strikes. As this tornado season continues and hurricane season approaches, one large storm could deplete the balance of the fund completely.

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 Stories:

• Picking Up the Pieces in Tornado-Ravaged Pierce City
• Missouri Residents Relying on the Red Cross as Recovery Begins
• More Than 5,000 Homes Damaged by Tornadoes
• Tornado Survivors Survey Damage
• Mass Clean-Up Underway as Tornado-Ripe Weather Continues

Related Links:

• Week of Wicked Weather Pummels Midwest, Southeast; American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund Threatened
• Family Disaster Planning
• How to Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of 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. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.