The deadliest tornado to occur within the last 60 years, decimated Joplin, Mo., on May 22, killing 122 people, injuring hundreds more and destroying thousands of homes.
Tornadoes and flooding, which began tearing into the Southeast and Midwest in April, are spurring some Lipscomb students to get involved in the recovery.
Others feel personally touched or wonder how they can help.
There already had been plenty of violent weather and destructive storms before April 27, when the worst tornado outbreak in decades tore into Mississippi and then cut a deadly swath across Alabama before slamming into a few counties in East Tennessee.
Alabama’s destruction and death toll was the worst — a huge section of Tuscaloosa, home of the Crimson Tide — was erased from the earth.
Other, smaller towns were virtually wiped out.
On May 6, a group of LU students traveled to Arab, Ala., to help storm victims there.
Many students in Memphis know how dangerous flooding has been and how it could get worse as it moves down through the delta and toward New Orleans.
Brandy Richardson, a sophomore in missions from Memphis, said that there are shelters in several areas of the Bluff City.
“My church is a Red Cross shelter right now,” she said. “There’s been lots of help with that for displaced families.”
Richardson said she thinks the flooding is mainly in north and northwest Memphis but also downtown and areas outside the city.
“Pray for those parts of the city,” Richardson said. “I feel like Nashville is able to recover a lot quicker. There’s a lot more means to recover. The areas [of Memphis] affected are some of the lowest income areas, so it’ll probably take a little longer for them to get back on their feet.”
Cynthia Kelley, communications and marketing manager at the Nashville Red Cross, said her organization has crews working in East Tennessee and West Tennessee. She said Nashville’s chapter currently has 11 volunteers in Memphis.
The American Red Cross depends on volunteers and donations from citizens in order to continue operating, Kelley said. She suggested people who want to help train as a volunteer with the organization or give money.
Richardson also encouraged people to get involved at the shelters or give monetary donations to help the victims.
“People can call (901)-267-5788 to find out how to donate clothes and toiletries to help the North Memphis flood victims,” she said in an e-mail.
“There are houses that are basically completely under water,” she said. “People have lost just about everything.”
Kelley said her organization acts as first responders to many disasters. They focus on “preparing and responding,” and after the disaster is over, the Red Cross does assessments to find out “what has happened and who needs help.”
Kelley said each situation is different regarding the amount of time the Red Cross is involved in a community after a disaster. When the Red Cross has done what it can, she said they partner the community with other organizations “to give them hope on the next level.”
If you’re interested in helping storm victims in Joplin, Mo., Tennessee, Alabama and other states, consider getting involved with one of these organizations:
Missouri United Way
This organization is helping victims in Joplin and other cities. To donate click here or text JOPLIN to 864833 to make a $10 donation.
United Way of the Plains, Kansas
This organization has developed two funds to help tornado victims in Joplin, Mo., and Reading, Kan. Donate online.
Convoy of Hope
The organization is accepting online donations and other items such as food and cleaning supplies. You can also donate by texting CONVOY to 50555.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross is helping both flood and tornado victims in the Midwest and Southeast regions. You can volunteer with them, donate money online or donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
Calvary Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa
The church has been directly involved with several aspects of tornado relief. The church’s website has information for volunteer groups and lists some of the most needed items. The church is accepting online donations and has promised to give 100 percent of the funds to victims of the devastating F5 tornado.
Temporary Emergency Services, Tuscaloosa
http://www.temporaryemergencyservice.org/index.html
The organization, funded by churches in Tuscaloosa, is involved with numerous aspects of tornado recovery. Check out the website to donate items or money.
University Church of Christ, Tuscaloosa
http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/
The church is welcoming volunteers to serve alongside the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team. You can also make a monetary donation.
Christian Service Mission
The group has teamed up with Amazon.com to send gift baskets to storm victims. The organization’s website and Facebook page contain the most updated information about other ways to volunteer.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has its Emergency Disaster Services currently working in Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. Visit their website to donate to storm victims or donate specifically to Joplin, Mo., by texting JOPLIN to 80888.