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Massive American Red Cross Tornado Relief Effort Spans Five States
Hundreds of Volunteers Mobilize, Open Several Shelters for Impacted Residents
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National Headquarters
2025 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
www.redcross.org
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Contact: Public Affairs Desk
Phone: (202) 303-5551
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WASHINGTON, Wednesday, February 06, 2008 — Across five southern states, Red Cross people and supplies are flowing in to provide care and comfort to those affected by the devastating tornadoes. In nearly every tornado-affected community Red Cross workers began working last night, and remain on the job, providing shelter, feeding victims and search and rescue workers and lending emotional support to all.
More than 350 people stayed in shelters last night as a rash of 60 tornadoes scarred Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Wednesday morning has brought to light the stark realization of damage done. Thus far, news reports indicate that more than 45 people lost their lives, and major damage was sustained to structures in rural and suburban communities alike.
Red Cross chapters within and close to the impacted communities were able to respond immediately, having chapters and supplies already positioned throughout the affected areas. As the need for emergency sheltering and feeding subsides, the Red Cross will offer additional goods and services, such as bulk distribution of clean-up kits and other needed supplies. Also, Red Cross case workers will engage individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes.
The Red Cross encourages families forced from their homes to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well web site, available at www.redcross.org. On this site, people within a disaster area can register themselves as “safe and well” by selecting and posting standard messages for friends and family. If you are unable to register, you can ask a family member to register on your behalf. Concerned family members who know the sought person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who register.
For more information on how you can keep your family safe during natural and man-made disasters, visit www.redcross.org, where you will learn how to Be Red Cross Ready.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like these tornadoes, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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