Wiregrass residents roll up their sleeves for disaster relief

By Jeffery L. Biggs

American Red Cross

Residents from throughout the Wiregrass region of Alabama have provided 286 units of blood to the tornado relief efforts in Enterprise, Ala., following a devastating tornado that roared through this south Alabama town on March 1, 2007.

 

“The response has been overwhelming,” said W.B. Stewart, account manager for Gulf Coast Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We’ve had 286 productive units presented, and many more that wanted to donate blood, but were unable to.”

The blood drive lasted four days and was held in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter parking lot in
Enterprise. It was the debut of the region’s brand new self-contained collection trailer.

“The self-contained unit got initiated in a big way,” Stewart said.

 

The blood drive officially concluded on Monday, March 5; but potential donors don’t need to worry.

“We are re-opening the Dothan, Ala. Donor Center with its regular hours, (Thursday’s 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.); and we are adding a Friday operating time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Stewart added.Potential donors are reminded that all blood types are needed.

Red Cross providing service to Alabama Counties affected by March 1, 2007 tornadoes

Local, national Red Cross workers provide immediate services to citizens

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 9, 2007 – A week may have passed since deadly tornadoes swept through central and south Alabama killing 10 and injuring hundreds, but the American Red Cross continues its efforts to provide immediate relief to the citizens of Coffee, Dale, Henry, Montgomery, and Wilcox counties. 

“We are continuously working with local chapters and with our national volunteers to provide for the immediate needs of the citizens in all affected counties in Alabama,” said Ron Speakes, disaster operations director for the American Red Cross’ national relief operation. “The American Red Cross has been on scene and working with affected residents since Thursday and will continue to work with residents in the affected areas until needs have been met.” Since the relief operation began on March 1, volunteers from the Red Cross of Central Alabama in Montgomery, the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross, Wiregrass Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Coffee County Chapter of the American Red Cross; have been providing much needed food, water, counseling, and financial assistance to clients. 

“As soon as the tornadoes struck the local chapters of the American Red Cross initiated their disaster operations plans,” Speakes added. “In fact, chapters across Alabama and the southeast were very closely monitoring the weather, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.” Since the disaster operations began, more than 5,000 meals, nearly 12,000 snacks, and more than 6,000 bottles of water have been distributed across the affected disaster areas by American Red Cross workers and volunteers. 

Affected citizens have also been receiving Red Cross financial assistance. “Part of the Red Cross mission to provide immediate assistance to citizens affected by these storms is to provide financial assistance for citizens’ immediate food, shelter, and clothing needs,” Speakes said. “Since relief operations began, more than 142 clients have sought assistance from the Red Cross to help with their immediate needs.” 

Funding for the financial assistance provided to clients comes from the generosity of the American people, and is an outright gift. “To cover the costs of providing assistance for the clients affected by these tornadoes, the American Red Cross has implemented a fund-raising plan to ensure that funds received by the Red Cross for disaster relief operations in Alabama will return to the citizens in Alabama affected by the storms,” Speakes added. Individuals wishing to make a contribution to the relief efforts in Alabama are encouraged to contact their local chapter of the American Red Cross, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or make an on-line donation via the secure web site http://www.redcross.org.

Red Cross continues fund-raising efforts

Tornado Relief Operation Seeks Funds to Assist Citizens

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 9, 2007 – Citizens, businesses, and organization seeking a way to immediately help individuals affected by the tragic March 1, 2007 tornadoes that swept through Coffee, Dale, Henry, Montgomery, and Wilcox counties in Alabama are encouraged to make a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  “All Red Cross assistance is an outright gift of the American people,” said Ron Speakes, disaster operations manager for the Red Cross. “All donations are voluntary, and the Red Cross does not charge for any assistance it provides to clients.” In order to provide the much needed assistance, however, funds must be raised to help supplement the relief operations. 

“If someone is looking for a way they can help the residents affected by the tornadoes, a tax-eligible donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is always a good option,” Speakes said. “Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund are used to provide immediate assistance to clients needing food, shelter, clothing, and other immediate necessities.” In addition to individuals wishing to make a contribution to disaster relief efforts, businesses may also make donations to the fund either on a national level, or through the local relief efforts.  “Businesses and organizations seeking to make a corporate or civic contribution to the relief operations can contact their local Red Cross chapter, or contact a representative with the national relief operation at (571) 226-8226,” Speakes added. “Many individuals, businesses, and organizations have already come forward to make contributions; and we and the citizens in the affected areas, are very thankful. However, more assistance is needed, because the American Red Cross will continue relief efforts long after the initial shock of this tragedy has worn off.” Speakes added that relief operations are underway in all parts of
Alabama, and that assistance is provided in every county affected by the storms. “The Red Cross is working in every county touched by these tornadoes,” he said. “We will continue our efforts to help these people as long as the need is there.” Contributions to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in
Alabama can be made by contacting a local chapter of the American Red Cross, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or by making an on-line donation via the secure web site http://www.redcross.org.

Latest Disaster Assessment

Latest statewide Disaster Assessment figures for Alabama, well over 90% complete:

• Alabama
  • 211 Destroyed
  • 223 Major damage
  • 281 Minor damage
• Coffee
  • 170 Destroyed
  • 202 Major damage
  • 214 Minor damage
• Dale
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 3 Major damage
  • 7 Minor damage
• Dallas
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 1 Major damage
  • 0 Minor damage
• Henry
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 3 Major damage
  • 7 Minor damage
• Jefferson
  • 2 Destroyed
  • 5 Major damage
  • 26 Minor damage
• Lowndes
  • 1 Destroyed
  • 0 Major damage
  • 6 Minor damage
• Montgomery
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 4 Major damage
  • 10 Minor damage
• Wilcox
  • 38 Destroyed
  • 5 Major damage
  • 11 Minor damage

Destroyed: A rating of destroyed indicates the dwelling is currently uninhabitable and cannot be made habitable without extensive repairs that would prove to be too costly; (e.g. total loss of structure, or complete failure to major structural components)

Major: A rating of major indicates that a dwelling is not currently habitable but can be made habitable with repairs; (e.g., substantial failure to structural elements such as floors, walls or foundation).

Minor: A rating of minor damage indicates the dwelling has sustained damage and will require repairs, but is currently habitable whether or not the occupants have chosen to remain in the dwelling following the disaster event.

Statewide Damage

With disaster assessment almost complete for Alabama, here are the totals so far:

• 211 homes destroyed
• 223 homes with major damage
• 281 homes with minor damage
• 63 homes affected

Destroyed: A rating of destroyed indicates the dwelling is currently uninhabitable and cannot be made habitable without extensive repairs that would prove to be too costly; (e.g. total loss of structure, or complete failure to major structural components)

Major: A rating of major indicates that a dwelling is not currently habitable but can be made habitable with repairs; (e.g., substantial failure to structural elements such as floors, walls or foundation).

Minor: A rating of minor damage indicates the dwelling has sustained damage and will require repairs, but is currently habitable whether or not the occupants have chosen to remain in the dwelling following the disaster event.

Affected: A rating of affected indicates the dwelling has sustained “extremely minor” damage. In this category, most of this damage would be considered nuisance damage such as a few shingles blown off, a couple of broken windows, debris in the yard or on or near the dwelling and minor contents damage.

Abbeville Shelter Closed

The American Red Cross shelter in Abbeville (Henry County) has been closed. The Wiregrass Area Chapter has found alternative lodging for all those who were in that facility.

Please visit our Current Shelters page for consolidated and up-to-date information.