Members of the San Diego County Chapter of the Red Cross will be heading to the disaster zone in Joplin to help with what some people have described as a battlefield after Sunday’s twister.
The Midwest is still taking a pounding from severe weather. Storms in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas have killed at least 15 people, and the death toll continues to rise from the tornado in Joplin, which killed at least 125.
More than 230 people remain unaccounted for four days after the deadliest single tornado in more than six decades tore through the middle of Joplin officials said Thursday.
On Wednesday afternoon, local disaster worker Amy Hegy got word she’d be traveling to help victims in Missouri.
She grabbed her “go kit” and started packing to make sure she has all the supplies she will need to handle any situation she may face.
This won’t be her first time responding to a devastating tornado.
“It’s a hard thing to prepare for,” she said. “It’s simply a difficult thing to see.”
“ My main job is going to be make sure everyone knows where they can get shelter, food, cleanup kits and what they need,” she said. “That’s my priority.”
The more she stays focused, the more she says she can help.
In Joplin, hundreds are living in shelters, and their stay has been interrupted by additional tornado warnings.
Local
Nearly 350 people are being housed at the Red Cross shelter at Missouri Southern State University. The two workers are going to help at the shelters and travel through ravaged neighborhoods distributing cleanup supplies, water and hot meals.
To donate to the American Red Cross:
Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; people can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
