MOBILE, Ala., April 16, 2011 – The American Red Cross South Alabama Region is responding to families in need after the severe weather and possible tornadoes in north Mobile, Washington, Escambia, and Clarke Counties. Volunteers will be doing damage assessment of affected areas including Citronelle, Deer Park, Vinegar Bend, and other areas. A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) has been deployed and is moving though the affected areas and passing out clean up kits and tarps to families with damaged homes.

In the coming days we will be meeting with the families affected and will assist them with their immediate emergency needs based on the extent of the damage to their homes. Affected families should call (251) 544-6100 for more information about Red Cross assistance.

Red Cross emergency assistance may include food, clothing, shelter, emotional support, and referrals; the level of assistance given is determined by a caseworker who meets with each family to assess their immediate emergency needs and provides assistance according to the extent of the damage to their home.

The Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American people to fulfill our mission providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. People can help those affected by severe weather and other emergencies by making a financial donation to the American Red Cross South Alabama Region by calling (251) 544-6100 or mailing to P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633. For more information about your local American Red Cross, go to www.redcrossalcoast.org.

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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the South Alabama Region:
Since 1917, the South Alabama Region has been upholding the American Red Cross mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia, Washington, Choctaw, Conecuh, Covington, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston Counties. The American Red Cross is a volunteer organization supported by the donations of the people in our community. The American Red Cross South Alabama Region is a United Way Partner Agency.