A series of severe storms and tornadoes ripped through Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri late Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Fierce 35-45 mph winds and tennis ball-sized hail smashed homes and businesses into scattered wreckage, and hurled cars as far as a mile away. In towns and communities where debris litters roads and clings to broken tree branches, many spent Mother’s Day coping with the storms’ aftermath. Downed power lines, utility poles and trees rendered thousands of homes without electricity and telephone service, leaving friends and families separated and searching for each other. President Bush has promised emergency federal aid for the affected communities. The media is reporting at least 23 deaths across the affected states attributed to this recent barrage of storms.

American Red Cross Response

In the wake of this disaster, the American Red Cross opened seven shelters in affected areas and mobile feeding trucks are circulating through neighborhoods, distributing food to grateful residents and weary emergency workers. Red Cross disaster assessment teams continue to survey the affected areas to determine the level of damage caused by the tornadoes. In addition, the Red Cross is working with local public health authorities to meet the basic needs of people affected, such as basic first aid care or help to replenish essential medications. Mental health workers are also being dispatched to help the residents of Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri who are in need of emotional support.

Because local telephone lines are down, the Red Cross is encouraging local residents to use the Safe and Well service to stay in touch with family and friends. The Safe and Well Website provides disaster victims with a confidential way to let their loved ones know of their general location and status. It can be accessed through the Safe and Well banner.

How You Can Help

The American Red Cross is helping those affected in Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri find relief following this devastation. In addition to this recent onslaught of storms, we respond to approximately 70,000 other disasters a year, including floods, fires, hurricanes, and much more. Our work is made possible only through your compassion and selfless donations to the Disaster Relief Fund. The Red Cross stands ready to turn your compassion into action. With your support of the Disaster Relief Fund, the Red Cross can assist those who urgently need your help. 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 the tornadoes in Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri, 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-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669) 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, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.