Bringing Help and Hope to Suffering Community

Denver, Tuesday, March 5, 2019 - The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming is sending disaster volunteers to help the people of Alabama that were devastated by severe flooding.

Carol Riddell, a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Northern Colorado will deploy to Alabama to help distribute emergency supplies to shelters and neighborhoods devastated by tornadoes.

Gary Huckabay, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado will deploy to Alabama as part of the Spiritual Care team.

Latest reports indicate at least 23 people were killed during the storms, with many people hospitalized. There were more tornado deaths on Sunday than in all of last year. The hardest hit areas still can’t be accessed and the total number of people missing is still unknown. The National Weather Service reports at least one of the two tornados was classified as an EF3 storm with winds as high as 165 miles per hour.

“Our hearts go out to the residents of Smith’s Station and Beauregard in Lee County,” said Mark Beddingfield, Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross in Alabama. “We urge people to visit redcross.org/safeandwell if they are looking for loved ones. Please take care, everyone.”

Red Cross disaster workers opened a shelter and expect to deploy emergency response vehicles, help with damage assessment and provide food, support services, relief supplies and help people recover as soon as it is safe to do so. The Red Cross is working with officials to determine what additional support people may need.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give: visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.