After destructive tornadoes ripped through south Georgia over the weekend, Red Cross disaster volunteers are responding quickly to provide emergency essentials and emotional support for families in need. The Red Cross is working closely with local emergency officials and community partners to respond to heartbreaking devastation, injuries and loss of life.

Trained disaster assessment teams are working in hard hit Cook and Dougherty Counties to identify all of the storm-impacted areas and the best ways to help residents get back on their feet. Overnight, Red Cross provided safe refuge for more than 60 residents. Along with a safe place to stay, Red Cross shelters will provide people with food, comfort kits, replacement medications and other essentials.

People in the affected areas can let friends and relatives know that they are safe by updating their Facebook and other social media accounts or registering on the Red Cross Safe and Well website.

If someone needs to find a shelter, they can visit redcross.org, check the Red Cross Emergency App. Anyone who plans to stay in a Red Cross shelter should bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. They should also include any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.

Three Red Cross shelters are open in Georgia:

COOK COUNTY:

First Baptist Church of Adel, 200 E FIFTH ST, Adel, GA 31620

People interested in donating items and supplies can drop off at:

First Assembly of God Church, 601 Massee Post Rd., Adel, GA 31620

DOUGHERTY COUNTY:

Albany Civic Center, 100 W. Oglethorpe Blvd., Albany, GA 31701

People interested in donating items and supplies (not food/water) can drop off at any Goodwill location

TURNER COUNTY:

Turner County Civic Center, 354 Lamar St., Ashburn, GA 31714

HOW YOU CAN HELP All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible through the generosity of the community. The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to assist people affected by disasters. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.