American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Red Cross Responds to Storm Damage Across Mississippi

JACKSON, MS, Wednesday, December 26, 2012—The American Red Cross is responding to damage reported in 10 Mississippi counties following severe weather last night.

Red Cross is working with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and local Emergency Managers in the following counties: Lamar, Forrest, Stone, Pearl River, Wilkinson, Lawrence, Hinds, Jones, Clarke and Lauderdale. Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are on the ground in the affected areas assisting with lodging, food, clothing, health services and emotional support for anyone with immediate, disaster-caused needs.

As people return home today to begin the clean-up, Red Cross has several safety steps that should be followed.

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Alabama Red Cross Responding to Severe Weather

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., December 26, 2012 — The American Red Cross Alabama Region is currently responding to assist residents affected by last night’s tornadoes and severe weather around the state of Alabama. The Red Cross is working with area emergency management agencies to determine where help may be needed. Initial reports indicate there is damage in the following counties: Butler, Pike, Lowndes, Autauga, Clarke, Escambia, Marengo, Tuscaloosa, Choctaw, Mobile, Crenshaw, Sumter, and Washington.

Over the holiday, more than 140 trained Red Cross volunteers were on standby to respond to the threat of severe weather that was unfortunately realized. Today, Red Cross volunteers are going to affected areas to assess the damage and determine the needs of those affected. Other Red Cross volunteers will be canvassing affected neighborhoods to hand out water, clean up kits, and other disaster relief items.

A Red Cross shelter is open at the City of Prichard (near Mobile, AL) Public Safety Building located at 743 Mt. Sinai Avenue, Prichard, AL 36612. This shelter is open for anyone displaced by yesterday’s severe weather.