A massive outbreak of severe weather over several days that yielded several tornadoes has now left at least 37 dead in 7 states. Communities across the country, including in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and more suffered extensive damage and are now beginning to pick up the pieces.
David Nussbaum, Chief Meteorologist for CBS 42 in Birmingham was live on air, guiding his community as the dangerous weather approached and then as it wreaked havoc across the state of Alabama for hours.
He spoke to Southern Living on Sunday and said, “In the wake of these storms, the weather turns pleasant with sunshine, low humidity, and cooler temperatures. In a strange way, this makes for good storm clean up weather.”
He continued, “The aftermath calls for significant help cleaning up the impacted communities. A call for helping hands to dig through debris, chainsaws and bulldozers and other heavy equipment, help with making insurance claims, financial help for those without adequate insurance, food for everyone impacted, places to stay for those now without a home, and prayer.”
Just as Nussbaum said, the skies are now clear and the helpers have already begun to reach out their hands in these hard hit communities. Below are some of our suggestions of vetted organizations already on the ground doing the work. If you are able, here is how you can help their efforts.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross had local teams across the impacted region before the storms even hit. Now, these teams are actively helping those impacted by opening shelters and providing vital supplies to those who need it.
Donate to their efforts here.
Jones County Baptist Disaster Relief
Erin Napier shared an update from her friend and the co-owner of Laurel Mercantile, Mallorie Raspberry. The post stated that Laurel Mercantile is partnering with Jones County Baptist Disaster Relief to collect supplies and monetary donations. This drive will directly benefit those in the hardest hit towns in Mississippi, Tylertown and Taylorsville. For those who are local to Laurel or close enough to drop off supplies, both Laurel Mercantile and Scotsman General Store are collecting donations of supplies. The needs include bottled water, garbage bags, diapers, cleaning supplies, paper products, and more. You can see the complete list in the post below.
If you cannot physically drop off goods, you can also help by making monetary donations via Venmo (@JCBA_Pay) or by mailing checks to:
Jones County Baptist Association
Memo: Disaster Relief
Jones County Baptist Association
206 S 11th Ave, Laurel, MS 39440
Mercy Chefs
Virginia-based Mercy Chefs announced Sunday evening that they were deploying to hard hit Tylertown, Mississippi, and the surrounding counties to “serve hot, chef-prepared meals to those without power and displaced by the storm. Your support is vital in helping us bring hope and nourishment to those who have lost everything.”
Donate to their efforts here.
Operation BBQ Relief
Also on the ground to serve up warm, satisfying, and distinctly Southern meals of comfort, Missouri based Operation BBQ Relief have deployed a team to Cave City, Arkansas. This group of philanthropic pitmasters are asking not only for monetary donations but for local volunteers as well.
Find out more information or donate to their efforts here.
This is a developing story.
Read the original article on Southern Living
