Volunteers across the country – and across North Texas – are offering assistance to those affected by the deadly tornadoes that swept the central United States over the weekend.
The cluster of Twisters, which hit multiple states, is estimated to have killed more than 60 people in Kentucky and more than a dozen more in Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. Thousands of houses and buildings were razed to the ground.
Kentucky officials called the storm the worst tornado event in the state’s history. More than 100 people in the state remain missing as crews search rubble.
On Saturday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved the use of state search and rescue equipment to support relief efforts in western Kentucky.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is coordinating national disaster relief efforts, including the delivery of 52 generators, 30,000 meals, 45,000 gallons of water and the opening of shelters, according to the FEMA website.
Ten members of Texas A&M Task Force 1 are being headed to Kentucky to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governor said in a statement posted on Twitter. The College Station group said Monday it is assisting local and federal officials in “search, rescue and recovery efforts.”
I authorized @ txtf1 to help our friends in Kentucky after the deadly tornadoes that rocked their state overnight.
They will assist in the recovery effort.
I ask all Texans to pray with Cecilia and me for those affected by these terrible tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/oaRa4K7xhl
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 11, 2021
But relief efforts and post-storm cleanup could take weeks or months – or years, officials said.
This is how people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can help the victims of the storm.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross dispatched rescue workers, volunteers and supplies to provide relief and assistance to residents affected by the deadly tornadoes. Emergency shelters opened in Kentucky and Tennessee over the weekend, and the group is working to move more supplies to the area.
The Red Cross also calls for blood donation. Before the storm, nationwide blood reserves were at an all-time low and blood needs in the region’s hospitals weigh on already scarce supplies, the group said in a statement.
Submit the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $ 10 donation or visit redcross.org/donate/donation.html/. Donations will help provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning, and other disaster relief.
To schedule a blood or platelet donation, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army said the crews had set up canteens in several communities to serve food and drinks to residents, the organization said in a statement.
Donations can be made via Facebook, online at helpalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, stating “KY Tornado Relief”.
Texas Baptist Men
Chainsaw crew members from the north Texas-based organization were ready to send workers and supplies to west Kentucky earlier this week. Texas Baptist Men said the team will remove fallen trees and broken branches from the rubble.
Donations can be made at tbmtx.kindful.com/.
World vision
A convoy of supplies from World Vision’s warehouse in Dallas will head to Kentucky this week delivering groceries, emergency kits, personal care items and more.
The religious group, which has a location in Grand Prairie, said it is also loading supplies – including disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, diapers, heaters, blankets, solar lights and toys – to be shipped from their Chicago location.
World Vision accepts donations at donate.worldvision.org/give/. Volunteers can register at worldvisionvolunteer.volunteerhub.com/.
World central kitchen
Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen, a food aid organization, prepared meals for the affected residents. Donate can be made at donate.wck.org/.
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