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Groups, Red Cross rally to help storm victims

The American Red Cross and other groups are helping fellow North Carolinians affected by Saturday's tornadoes and severe storms on Saturday.

Posted Updated
Volunteers gather at a Raleigh staging area to help with tornado cleanup.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The American Red Cross and other groups are helping fellow North Carolinians affected by Saturday's tornadoes and severe storms on Saturday.

The North Carolina Baptist Men were helping people in Lee and Bertie counties were some of the greatest damage was reported.

International relief organization Samaritan's Purse is dispatching three disaster relief units of trained emergency workers to the eastern part of the state. The emergency teams are based in North Wilkesboro in Wilkes County, within three hours of the areas hit hardest by tornadic storms.

They are seeking additional volunteers to assist with relief efforts. Visit their website to volunteer or make a donation.

Wake County and the City of Raleigh are organizing people for future volunteer efforts. Interested people can call either the Wake County Emergency Operations Center at 919-856-7044 or  send an e-mail to Raleigh Assistant City Manager Dan Howe via daniel.howe@raleighnc.gov.

The county is also collecting storm debris to aid in clean-up efforts at various sites in the area.

"It is very important that only trained workers aid people affected by the storm," Wake County Emergency Management Director Josh Creighton said in a statement. "While we truly appreciate the spirit of generosity, it can be extremely dangerous for volunteers and those they are attempting to aid."

People can donate to the Red Cross by calling 1-800-733-2767 or giving online. The Red Cross is also seeking registered nurses to assist storm victims. Call Denise Kissel of Wake County Human Services at 919-946-3731 to volunteer.

The Salvation Army is partnering with American Red Cross to offer food and water to storm victims.

The Salvation Army Mobile Disaster Unit has delivered meals to victims in the Cardinal Grove Community and was serving the Stony Brook North community on Monday. Free water is being given out at The Salvation Army facility at 215 South Person St.

Movers not Shakers in Raleigh has offered to move tornado victims' belongings to a storage unit for free this week. U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to those affected by the storms. The Hilton Raleigh-Durham Airport hotel is offering a discounted rate to tornado victims, as well. People should ask for the distressed passenger rate.

People poured into shelters across central and eastern North Carolina after the storm, Red Cross officials said.

Approximately 20 families and two bus loads of Shaw University students stayed at Southeastern Raleigh High School.

Eighty-seven people went to three shelters in Cumberland County, and more than four dozen stayed overnight. About 50 people showed up at shelters in Johnston County, although only about two families stayed overnight.

So far, in Cumberland County, the Red Cross has given out 1,200 bottles of water, 480 meals and 600 snacks.

Shelters open on Monday

Wake County

Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest

Garner United Methodist Church, 201 Methodist Drive, Garner

Cumberland County

Westover Recreational, 277 Bonanza, Fayetteville

Harnett County

Triton High School, 215 Maynerd Lake Road, Erwin

Lee County

SanLee Middle School, 2309 Tramway Road. Sanford

Bladen County

Bladenboro Middle School, Main Street, Bladenboro

Onslow County

Enon Chapel Baptist Church, 102 Barber Ave., Midway Park

Red Cross volunteers will provide warm meals and a shoulder to lean on for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs. Anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family. This includes:

  • Prescriptions and emergency medications
  • Food that meets unusual dietary requirements
  • Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents 
  • Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items 
  • Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys 
  • Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled 

Public health regulations do not permit pets in shelters; service animals are permitted. 

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