Red Cross Surveys Weather Damage

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Alabama Region are assessing the damage to homes throughout the state. So far they have found that over 440 homes throughout Alabama were affected in some way by the severe weather.

Several areas are still inaccessible due to downed power lines and trees in the road. Here are the initial damage assessment numbers for the affected areas:

• Homes Destroyed                      211

• Homes with Major Damage         218

• Homes with Minor Damage         13

•Affected Homes             Unknown at this time

Affected families should call (205) 439-7800 or their local Red Cross office for more information about Red Cross assistance. In the coming days we will be meeting with the families affected and will assist them with their immediate emergency needs based on the extent of the damage to their homes.

Red Cross shelters are open at the following locations:

• First Baptist Church of Center Point - 1945 Center Point Parkway, Center Point, AL 35215
• Clay Community Center - 6423 Clay-Palmerdale Road, Clay, AL
• Springville First Methodist Church - 6471 U.S. Highway 11, Springville, AL 35146

How You Can Help:

The Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American people to fulfill our mission providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. People can help by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief:

•Visit www.redcross.org 1-800-RED CROSS

•Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Financial contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. For more information about your local American Red Cross, go to www.alredcross.org.

For those who are affected by a disaster in the U.S., registering on the Red Cross Safe and Well website is a way for those in the disaster area to let loved ones know they are safe. Friends and family outside the disaster area can also visit the Safe and Well site to search for messages from their loved ones by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address.

There are several ways to register or look for messages from those affected by a disaster:

• From a computer, visit www.redcross.org  and click on the "List Yourself or Search Registrants" link under "How to Get Help."
• From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell
• Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register.

Disaster victims can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well website.