Lee County American Red Cross Responds To Tornado Victims

Local citizens can receive food and comfort at
Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Alabama

OPELIKA, AL (February 28, 2009) – Many citizens awoke to the sounds of tornado sirens this morning as severe weather cut a path across central and east Alabama.  Tornadoes were spotted in several places and locally the Salem area seems to have been the hardest hit.

The Lee County Red Cross has opened Philadelphia Baptist Church located at 7807 Lee Rd. 246 in Smiths, Station Alabama as a warming and feeding center for local residents in need of assistance.  So far about 20 homes in the Salem area have been reported to have damage or to have been destroyed.  Many residents remain without power and utility workers are rushing to restore service as soon as possible.

“Citizens who need a safe place to go, food or comfort can go to Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smiths Station and Red Cross volunteers and our church partners will be there to help them”, said Jennifer Ryan, Executive Director of the Lee County Red Cross.  The Lee County Red Cross is also offering food and supplies to emergency responders who have been working since early this morning responding to storm related damage and emergencies.  Red Cross support will be available as long as emergency conditions exist and assistance is needed.

The Lee County Red Cross is also working with the Russell County Red Cross which has identified one family who lost their home.  Russell County has had some flooding but is fortunate to still have power.

Residents can help their local Red Cross with donations of time, blood and money. Call the Lee County Red Cross at 334-749-9981 or visit the local website at http://www.leeredcross.org to get involved or make a donation. The local website will be updated with response information frequently and financial donations are accepted at the site as well. 
Although no life-threatening injuries have yet been reported from this storm, blood is always needed. The Lee County Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, March 4 from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at their office located at 206 26th St. in Opelika. No appointment is necessary and walk-ins are welcome at this drive.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the recent tornadoes, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation.  Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation, with the designation, to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
-END-