Red Cross of Illinois sending volunteers to Alabama and Mississippi
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Red Cross of Illinois has deployed several volunteers to Mississippi and Alabama, who will be working with our partners to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, meals, emotional support, and comfort in the face of this deadly tornado.
The Red Cross of Illinois have mobilized relief supplies and disaster workers and are coordinating with local and state officials to help ensure people get the help they need.
Donations can be made by visiting here, or by calling 800-RED CROSS or text the word TORNADO to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
Please take note of these safety tips to help protect you and your family, in the event of a tornado:
- Watch for tornado danger signs: dark and greenish clouds, a wall cloud or cloud of debris.
- During a tornado warning, go to your safe place immediately, whether it’s a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. A small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
- If you live in a mobile home, find a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. No mobile home is safe in a tornado. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or vehicle, go there immediately.
- If you’re outside, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, immediately get in a vehicle and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seat belt.
- Stay away from bridges or highway overpasses.
- If strong winds and flying debris occur while driving, pull over and park. Keep on your seat belt and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket.
