How to Help Those Affected by Tornadoes

The death toll continues to rise for those killed by tornadoes that ripped through the south Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported that the "death toll from Wednesday's storms reached 329 across seven states, including 238 in Alabama, making it the deadliest U.S. tornado outbreak since March 1932, when another Alabama storm killed 332 people. Tornadoes that swept across the South and Midwest in April 1974 left 315 people dead."

The AP reported further that "hundreds if not thousands of people were injured Wednesday - 990 in Tuscaloosa alone - and as many as 1 million Alabama homes and businesses remained without power."

Lots of people will need a lot help. Here are some ways you can help disaster victims affected by the tornadoes:

Salvation Army

You can donate to the Salvation Army:

• Go to their website www.salvationarmyusa.org.
• Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
• Text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation to assist the organization’s disaster response efforts.
• Send a check to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.
• A $100 donation to the Salvation Army could feed a family of four for two days and would include two cases of drinking water and a household cleanup kit, according to Southern Spirit Online, a site dedicated to advancing the mission and services of the Salvation Army.

Red Cross

Donations can also be made to support The American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

• Visit Red Cross’s website, www.redcross.org.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make a donation.
• Checks can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Do you know anyone affected by the storms in the south or any local organizations or individuals planning to assist those affected by the tornadoes? Tells us in the comments or email: marcia.sagendorph@patch.com

Do you know of any local organizations or individuals planning to assist those affected by the tornadoes?