11Mar

Sending Disaster Workers to Help in Alabama

Updated: Monday, March 11, 2019 –

Two Additional Disaster Workers Deploying to Alabama

The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming is sending two more disaster volunteers to help the people of Alabama that were devastated by tornadoes in early March.

Kathryn Addrisi, a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Western Colorado will deploy to Alabama as a member of the Recovery Team in Alabama

Thomas Bethke, a volunteer with the Red Cross of the Mile High Area will deploy to Alabama as part of Client Casework team.

Red Cross spiritual care volunteers in Alabama comfort a mother whose child perished in the tornado outbreak. Photo by Gary Huckabay/American Red Cross

More than 140 American Red Cross disaster workers are in eastern Alabama, helping people impacted by the deadly tornadoes that tore through the region earlier this month.

RED CROSS RESPONSE These tornadoes destroyed almost 200 homes and damaged more than 340 more, leaving hundreds of residents homeless or displaced. In the aftermath of the tornadoes, Red Cross workers are supporting shelters, serving meals and providing other assistance to those in need of help. The Red Cross is also working closely with government and community partners, such as the Salvation Army and United Way and local faith-based organizations, to coordinate relief efforts.

  • Red Cross mental health and spiritual care volunteers have provided more than 2,100 mental health and health services contacts.
  • More than 6,000 meals and snacks have been served.
  • More than 4,500 relief supplies have been distributed,
  • 15 Red Cross vehicles are on the ground, supporting recovery efforts.

Last year nearly 372,000 individuals volunteered their time for the Red Cross. Are you looking for a way to make a difference? Become a Red Cross volunteer – there are lots of ways you can help. To find out more, including how to apply, visit the ‘Volunteer’ information on redcross.org.

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.

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Denver, 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.

Lives taken, homes destroyed, People devastated in Alabama Photo:American Red Cross

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.

Red Cross Operations Management Team plans strategy for Alabama response effort. Photo/American Red Cross

“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.

Looking for a Loved One?

If you’re looking for loved ones please visit redcross.org/safeandwell. Safe & Well allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is always available, open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website.