Fatalities
The Alabama EMA has reported 1 fatality out of Jackson County.
Damage Assessment
There are initial reports of at least 57 homes which were destroyed or damaged, but damage assessment continued today and these numbers are expected to rise.
Red Cross Activity
At a service center at the Rosalie Baptist Church, on Alabama Highway 71 in Pisgah, Red Cross case workers are on hand assessing emergency needs, along with mental health workers. Volunteers are distributing snacks and water, and are expected to serve their first hot meal tonight. Madison-Marshall Chapter executive Mary Moreillon, who’s been working with this disaster response, says the community support has been incredible. Moreillon also says few may realize that one of the strongest benefits of disaster volunteers what they personally offer - hope, support and comfort to those in need.
In Walker County, 22 families’ homes were damaged or destroyed - many in the community of Oakman. Red Cross crews are providing service delivery and case work at the Oakman Senior Center (8250-Market Street Oakman, AL). Volunteers and staff work together to provide food, shelter, emergency funds, prescription medications, personal products and much more. In addition to those services, trained Red Cross mental health volunteers are available to lend emotional support.
Dozens of meals have been served from our Emergency Response Vehicle, or ERV, as well as from the center. This morning, workers at the Oakman Senior Center cooked breakfast for more than 50 people.
Churches from around the county also met the victims there to determine how they could assist with providing clothing, salvaging belongings, transportation, clean-up and minor repairs. These church members made lists of sizes and identified other needs. Red Cross volunteers are expected to wrap up case work in Oakman tomorrow.
Red Cross volunteers and staff members continue working to serve the needs of people affected by the more than 40 tornadoes that swept across a five state region. Disaster recovery work also continues in Alabama, meanwhile the Alabama Emergency Management Association, or EMA, reports at least six people were killed in weather-related deaths in this state.
Updated Information on February 6th Tornadoes & Severe Storms
CLANTON- Today as the residents of Alabama are recovering from the devastating February 6, 2008 tornadoes, this morning Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA Individual Assistance teams are on the ground doing preliminary damage assessments. We have also requested FEMA public assistance teams to assess the counties affected by Wednesday’s storms. Governor Bob Riley has signed the Emergency Declaration which will free up state resources to assist residents affected due to the deadly storms. This morning AEMA is sad to report the death toll in our state has increased due to the severe weather early Wednesday morning. There are a total of 6 deaths related to the tornadoes and severe weather that swept through the state. The breakdown is as follows:
Lawrence County, 4
Jackson County, 1
Baldwin County, 1 (traffic fatality, but related to severe weather)
Disasters come in many forms and affect children and adults differently. Children take their cues from their parents and other adults. When these important people in their lives cope well in a disaster, children are more likely to respond positively. Adults can help children cope with the recent tornadoes by following some general steps:
Encourage children to talk and listen to their concerns.
Take time to provide factual information about the disaster and your plans for ensuring their ongoing safety.
Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children.
Offer them a sense of protection. Speak with confidence about the situation, and work with them to build up their sense of feeling protected. A good way to do this is to create a disaster supplies kit and a family communications plan.
Help your children reconnect with people around them, family, friends and schoolmates. This connection can help strengthen your child’s sense of safety.
Re-establish daily routines for work, school, play, meals and rest.
Monitor and limit your children’s exposure to news coverage of the disaster. Children may think the event is happening over and over again when they see or hear repeated reports and images.
Available Resources:
The American Red Cross offers the following resources to help adults, parents, caregivers and older children maintain a healthy state of mind when dealing with unexpected events:
Maintaining a Healthy State of Mind - The Preparedness Today website was developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide information about the different reactions people can expect and how they can help themselves and others cope with unexpected events. The site is accessible through www.redcross.org.
Red Cross Volunteers are Finding Health and Mental Health Top the List of Needs
WASHINGTON, February 7, 2008 – Following one of the largest series of tornadoes in decades, many people across the south are beginning the long process toward recovery. The Red Cross continues to help provide meals, shelter and clean up supplies to those affected. But for many people, the most welcome help comes from Red Cross health and mental health workers – these compassionate volunteers lend physical and emotional support as residents struggle to cope with the devastation surrounding them.
Health services workers focus on providing emergency first aid and evaluating the health care needs of individuals and communities following a disaster. Red Cross mental health workers tend to the emotional needs of disaster victims. In fact, for many people, their first contact with the Red Cross following a disaster is with one of these workers, though they carry no special identification. Mental health and health services volunteers reach out to disaster victims through home or hospital visits and can also be found working in Red Cross shelters, service centers and emergency aid stations.
“We literally walk house to house after a disaster, looking for people who may need first aid or some other health related services,” explained Eileen Losi, R.N., a volunteer with Red Cross Disaster Health Services. “Right now we are gathering our licensed healthcare workers, such as nurses, licensed practical nurses, physicians and paramedics, to work in our shelters, and to conduct these visits throughout the impacted communities.”
The Red Cross encourages disaster victims to reach out to the Red Cross for help. “Anyone who experiences a disaster can be affected in some way, whether directly or indirectly through location, loved ones or exposure to media coverage,” said Rob Yin, Manager, Disaster Health and Mental Health Services. “Attending to the mental health needs of those affected is an important part of the larger Red Cross disaster response.”
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