In response to the tornadoes and storms that have hit Mississippi in the past two weeks, American Red Cross Disaster Action Teams (DAT) have responded in Attala, Covington, Forrest, Hinds, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Perry and Wayne counties. Red Cross is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and local Emergency Managers.
"Red Cross is focused on people’s emergency needs," said Cheryl Kocurek, Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation job director. "We are continuing to feed, shelter and distribute disaster relief supplies to those in need."
Client caseworkers are in the impacted neighborhoods and on location in multiple FEMA/MEMA Disaster Recovery Centers set-up in the impacted counties. Red Cross caseworkers are helping individuals with immediate, disaster-related needs by meeting with them one-on-one to provide guidance and support during their recovery process. For a list of FEMA/MEMA Disaster Recovery Centers locations and hours of operation, visit www.msema.org.
Red Cross health services and mental health workers continue to meet with families that have disaster-caused health and emotional needs. Red Cross is working with community partners and agencies to identify appropriate resources for any remaining emergency needs.
Mobile response units continue bulk distribution in the impacted neighborhoods, and Service Delivery Sites are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where residents may receive health services, emotional support and disaster relief items. The locations are as follows.
To find a Red Cross shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit mississippi-redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). For a list of items to bring with you to the shelter, visit mississippi-redcross.org. The following shelters are open.
If someone would like to help people affected by emergencies like yesterday's storms, they can visit mississippi-redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross Office.
Due to the recent storms and the amount of rainfall, flooding is a possibility is several Mississippi counties. People should continue listening to weather reports for the latest updates on flood warnings and watches. Follow these Red Cross flood safety tips.
As people return home to begin the clean-up, Red Cross has several safety steps that should be followed.
For more information, contact your local Red Cross Office, search “Red Cross Mississippi” on Facebook or follow @RedCrossMiss on Twitter. For a list of Red Cross Offices and contact numbers, visit mississippi-redcross.org.