Arkansas – The volunteers with the American Red Cross were among the first to assist those most hit by the severe storms Friday night and Saturday early morning.
According to American Red Cross offices in Arkansas and Missouri, they were already in touch with the local and state emergency management in an effort to provide help in the most hit areas as soon as possible.
“Our hearts go out to the individuals and communities impacted across Missouri and Arkansas,” said Chris Harmon, Regional Disaster Officer. in a press release sent by the American Red Cross.
Red Cross sent responders to affected communities in the Greater St. Louis area including Edwardsville, IL and in St. Charles County where homes were destroyed in Defiance, Missouri. Responders also provided assistance in Wright and Stone counties in Missouri where homes were damaged. Crews traveled to northeast Arkansas communities affected in Craighead County.
Hundreds of people were already at the scenes that were most hit in the early morning hours, but this number reached thousands in the afternoon hours. Nearly 50 people were reported dead in the morning, but it’s believed that the number of deaths might surpass 100 by the end of the day.
If you would like to help those affected, visit redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation or donate online at www.redcross.org.