After several destructive tornadoes made a sweep across Georgia – the American Red Cross is increasing the number of disaster assessment teams surveying impacted areas.

Overnight, Georgia’s Red Cross provided safe sanctuary, meals and comfort for 81 people in Red Cross shelters. Now, as families begin to return to their homes in hard-hit southern Georgia, Red Cross disaster workers are taking food, water and relief supplies into accessible areas where people are focusing on clean-up and repair. A shelter in Dougherty County remains open in Albany for residents displaced by the storms at: The Albany Civic Center, 100 W. Oglethorpe Blvd. Albany, GA 31701. In addition, 13 Red Cross assessment teams are canvassing impacted areas today to document damage and identify needs.

For more information about Red Cross services in coastal Georgia, call 229-436-4845 or visit The American Red Cross of Southwest Georgia Facebook Page.

Powerful storms like tornadoes create widespread damage and more needs than any one organization can meet on its own. The Red Cross is working closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to provide emergency relief.

Since deadly tornadoes hit January 22nd, Red Cross and its partners have served more than 2,798 meals 4,251 snacks, and provided nearly 181 overnight stays in shelters.

The Red Cross has mobilized more than 160 disaster workers to support the relief effort in Georgia. In addition, the Red Cross deployed 12 response vehicles expected to deliver 2,000 meals today.

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 disasters big and small.

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.

Photo courtesy: Red Cross/ Molly Bardsley