Massive American Red Cross Tornado Relief Effort Spans Five States

Across five southern states and in communities large and small, Red Cross people and supplies are flowing in to provide care to those affected by the devastating tornadoes which began hitting February 5. In every tornado-affected community, Red Cross workers are on the job -- providing shelter, feeding victims and search and rescue workers, and lending emotional support to all.

More than 350 people stayed in shelters last night as a rash of 60 tornadoes scarred Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Wednesday morning has brought to light the stark realization of damage done. Based on the scope of the disaster, the Red Cross is moving volunteers, equipment and supplies from around the Southeast to help with the relief effort to come, while keeping a close eye on the weather as more storms and flooding threaten other parts of the nation.

Red Cross chapters in the impacted communities responded immediately, having people and supplies already positioned throughout the affected areas. Today's priority will focus on emergency sheltering and feeding. And in the coming days the Red Cross will offer additional goods and services, such as distribution of clean-up kits and other needed supplies. Also, Red Cross case workers will engage individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes.

The Red Cross encourages families forced from their homes to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well web site, available at http://www.redcross.org. On this site, people within a disaster area can register themselves as "safe and well" by selecting and posting standard messages for friends and family. If you are unable to register, you can ask a family member to register on your behalf. Concerned family members who know the sought person's phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who register.

For more information on how you can keep your family safe and be better prepared for natural and man-made disasters, visit http://www.redcross.org.

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 these tornadoes, 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.