RAPID CITY, S.D. – The American Red Cross is helping people in the Midwest where tornadoes and flooding have caused heavy damage to neighborhoods across the region.
Local Red Cross volunteers Denise Parker and Ken Michaelson of Rapid City depart for Kentucky on Sunday and Monday, December 12th and 13th.
The American Red Cross is beginning large relief efforts in four states — Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas — to help those most affected by the storms. With more volunteers moving into the impacted communities, we are working around the clock with our partners to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, emotional support and comfort in the face of one of the most devastating tornado outbreaks in years.
- We’re moving as quickly as we can to get additional volunteers, supplies and help to the hardest hit areas. With such widespread damage, we know families will need support for weeks to come and the Red Cross will be there.
- Saturday night, there were at least eight emergency shelters open in Kentucky providing safe refuge to about 190 people. Shelters are also open in Tennessee.
- Red Cross volunteers are also focused on helping to assess the damage in affected communities as areas become accessible. This work will help us to better understand how many families were impacted and what types of help they may need in the coming days and weeks.
