As of 7:30 pm EST, damage assessment is nearly complete in Alabama but continues in other affected states.

Please note that Shelter information has been updated on Sites and Shelters.

Tennessee:

There is one shelter open in Tennessee at this time.

Macon County
Tennessee National Guard Armory
1200 Russell Drive
Lafayette, TN

Arkansas:

There is one shelter open in Arkansas at this time:

Baxter County
Cotter School
211 Melba Avenue
Cotter, Arkansas 72626

Kentucky:

There are two shelters open in Kentucky at this time:

Hardin County
ES Building
1450 Rineyville Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Monroe County
Gamaliel Elementary School
320 E. Main Street
Gamaliel, KY 42140

Just in from Mid-West Kentucky Chapter:
We had one shelter open last night (Wednesday) at the Old Central City Gym located at 502 Golden Tide Avenue in Central City.

8 people spent the night in the shelter last night.

News Release from the Louisville, KY area. Issued yesterday afternoon (2/6/08) 

Volunteers Mobilize, Open Several Shelters for Impacted Residents

LOUISVILLE, KY, February 6, 2008 – Throughout the state of Kentucky, the Red Cross has established six shelters and is providing care and comfort to those affected by last night’s storms and devastating tornadoes. In nearly every tornado-affected community, Red Cross workers began working last night, and remain on the job, providing shelter, feeding victims, search and rescue workers, and lending emotional support to all.

More than 350 people stayed in shelters last night as a rash of 60 tornadoes scarred Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Wednesday morning has brought to light the stark realization of damage done. Thus far, news reports indicate that more than 50 people lost their lives, and major damage was sustained to structures in rural and suburban communities alike.

Established American Red Cross shelters throughout Kentucky are as follows:

● Gamaliel Elementary School at 320 E Main Street, Gamaliel, KY 42140 (Monroe County)
● Pleasant Field Full Gospel Church at 100 Holland Road, Scottsville< KY 42164 (Allen County)
● Emergency Management Office at 1450 Rineyville Road Elizabethtown, KY 42701 (Hardin County)
● David T. Wilson Middle School at 1075 Old Ekron Road, Brandenburg, KY 40108 (Meade County)
● Second Baptist Church, 217 West Depot Street, Greenville, KY 42345 (Muhlenberg County)

The Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter’s Chief of Disaster Services, Keith Alvey, is visiting critical areas in Kentucky to oversee Red Cross preparedness for immediate service delivery response. “Damage assessment teams are out in affected areas such as Monroe, Allen, Hardin, Meade and Muhlenberg counties evaluating damage to homes,” said Alvey. With the preliminary damage assessment information, the Red Cross will determine the best service delivery approach to the particular situation.

“Gathering this disaster damage information is critical to the success of our operation,” said Alvey. “With this information, we can determine priorities for providing assistance, verify the damage suffered by families requesting Red Cross disaster assistance and determine where needs are most urgent. Additionally, decisions such as staffing, supply needs, estimating relief costs and providing a basis for fund-raising decisions are all based on a complete and accurate damage assessment.”

This just in from Mid-West Kentucky Chapter:

MADISONVILLE February 6, 2008

Red Cross volunteers and staff responded quickly to open shelters to provide care and comfort to those affected by the devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky. Red Cross workers began working last night, and remain on the job, providing shelter, feeding victims and search and rescue workers and lending emotional support to all. Three shelters were mobilized in Muhlenberg County Tuesday evening and one shelter in Christian. One shelter will open Wednesday night. The location will depend on the success of utility crews to restore power in Greenville Wednesday morning has brought to light the stark realization of damage done. Thus far, news reports indicate that more than 3 people lost their lives, and major damage was sustained to structures in Muhlenberg, Christian and Hopkins Counties. Red Cross Disaster Assessment Teams have been deployed from the Mid-West Kentucky Chapter to identify specific needs and qualify persons impacted for Red Cross assistance.

The Mid-West Kentucky Chapter was able to respond immediately, having trained volunteers and supplies throughout the affected areas. As the need for emergency sheltering and feeding subsides, the Red Cross will offer additional goods and services, such as bulk distribution of clean-up kits and other needed supplies. Also, Red Cross case workers will engage individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes. Jeanie Barnett, Executive Director of the Mid-West Kentucky Chapter, explained the challenges, “Last night gave us a taste of the challenges meeting a multi-county disaster. Deploying workers and resources became even more challenging as more storms approached. Trying to find out where shelter operations are needed in the chaos following a disaster is difficult; but, we cannot send workers out while the storm is still raging”. Jeanie added, “Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we have been adding to our capacity to respond to disasters and provide shelter. The irony is that we ordered 100 cots and pillows and 200 blankets that should be delivered today”.

This site is for public information about the American Red Cross response to the Tornadoes of February 2008.

If you are in need of Red Cross services, please contact your local chapter office.

This page is being updated frequently, you may want to periodically hit the “refresh” button on your browser.

Click here for more information on getting the most out of this site.