The devastating tornadoes on Friday night caused significant damage in north St. Louis and the Metro East, leaving many fellow St. Louisans without homes. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured or killed, but many homes, business, and schools were left without roofs, electricity, plumbing, and more. We'll be following the clean-up efforts over the next several weeks and months, but for now, here's how you can help:
1. Make a donation.
Right now, financial help is the easiest and most effective way to contribute. The St. Louis chapters of the American Red Cross, United Way, and Salvation Army are all accepting financial donations to help those in need.
- The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Maryland Heights Community Center, dispatched emergency food vehicles, distributed clean-up supplies, and more. They are currently accepting donations here.
- The United Way has set up the United Way 2-1-1 Storm Recovery Fund, which has a $100,000 fundraising goal. So far, the fund has raised almost $25,000.
- US Bank has also established the Bridgeton Tornado Relief Fund for an area hit especially badly by the tornado. Checks can be made at any US Bank branch location or mailed and made out to the Bridgeton Tornado Relief Fund.
- The Salvation Army held a Phone-a-Thon on Saturday on Fox 2/News 11 and are still looking for cash donations.
- Many organizations are also looking for in-kind donations, such as clothing, cleaning supplies, blankets, sheets, pillows, food, toys, school supplies, etc. Contact local schools and city chambers in damaged areas for more information.
2. Volunteer your time.
- The Salvation Army is taking names and numbers for people who'd like to volunteer and placing them based on needs around the area. To help, call 314-646-3000.
- The City of Bridgeton has also partnered with Service International to coordinate volunteers and clean-up relief efforts. To volunteer, go to Grace Church, 2695 Creve Coeur Mill, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Volunteers should wear weather-appropriate cloting, sturdy shoes or work boot. Work Gloves and safety glasses will be available on-site.
- Currently, the Red Cross is using only trained volunteers, but Jessica Willingham, chief marketing and communications officer of the St. Louis area chapter of the American Red Cross, encourages people to fill out a volunteer application on their website to be trained for future need.
3. Prepare.
After the devastation that's ripped through the area, one of the best things you can to is to make sure yourself, friends, and family are prepared if/when it happens again.
- The National Severe Storms Laboratory, offers these tips on tornado preparedness (click here for more):
- Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school and when outdoors.
- Have frequent drills.
- Know the county/parish in which you live, and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
- Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.
- Listen to radio and television for information.
- If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible.
- Understand how to emotionally cope and how to help children cope. Click here for info from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) on how to help adults cope, and here on how to help children cope.
- FEMA also provides tips on returning to your home after a disaster, resources for rebuilding, and health and safety information.
Know other ways to help? Please leave directions in the comments section.
