The American Red Cross is responding across five states to help people affected by Sunday’s devastating tornado outbreak and severe weather in the Midwest, providing food, shelter and comfort to families and individuals in need. Locally, two Kosciusko residents were deployed this week to Kokomo to work in shelters set up there.

Red Cross workers are on the ground now providing relief in affected areas and will be there for weeks to come helping people pick up the pieces and get back on their feet.

Twelve Red Cross shelters were open in the hardest hit states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Meanwhile, Red Cross workers also are helping people in Kentucky and Michigan whose homes were damaged from storms.

As roads reopen, Red Cross emergency vehicles will hand out meals, snacks and relief supplies in affected communities. Emergency aid stations are also open in some areas where people can get food and snacks, mental health and health care services, and information about what help is available.

This has been a deadly and devastating storm, and Red Cross disaster mental health workers are available to help people cope with the aftermath. Health workers are also available to help people replace things like lost medications and eyeglasses.

Throughout affected communities, damage assessment teams are helping to determine the full scope of destruction left behind by the tornadoes while more workers, supplies and equipment are being mobilized in case they are needed. In the days ahead, Red Cross workers will work with families to make individual recovery plans, fill out paperwork, and connect them to other services to support recovery efforts. The Red Cross is also coordinating closely with government and community partners to provide help and support long term recovery efforts.

HOW TO HELP
People affected by severe weather and other disasters need help now. You can help people affected by disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or 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.

Donations may be mailed to your local Red Cross office, or donate online by visiting www.redcross.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your donation helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.