No single answer to housing for tornado victims

Thousands of Southerners who lost everything last month to a pack of killer twisters will need new homes after they move out of shelters and relatives' spare bedrooms, but the types of housing they find will vary widely depending on where they live.


The communities that caught the brunt of the tornadoes range from rural crossroads in Mississippi to mid-sized Alabama cities like Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Places like Smithville, Miss., had few rental houses or apartments to begin with; hard-hit Birmingham has a much larger stock that's ready for almost immediate occupancy.

Unlike after Hurricane Katrina, when crews set up thousands of nearly identical campers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency all over coastal Mississippi and southern Louisiana, officials say different areas hit by the tornadoes will require varying solutions.

The National Weather Service and state emergency officials are still tallying how many homes were destroyed when waves of tornadoes mowed through the South, killing hundreds in seven states as entire neighborhoods were wiped out in some areas. Alabama took the hardest hit: The state said 236 people were dead at last count, and 42 of the state's 67 counties have been approved to receive disaster assistance.


In Mississippi, state emergency management spokesman Jeff Rent said officials will help tornado victims secure mobile homes from FEMA in hard-hit Monroe County, where 15 people died and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged. The challenge is finding suitable sites for the mobile homes, especially in hard-hit areas like Smithville, which was littered with debris, Rent said. In Bertie County, N.C., residents left homeless by a mid-April tornado outbreak are living in FEMA trailers.

READ MORE

Harper discusses FEMA flap in Yazoo on Fox and Friends (Video).

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) joins Steve, Gretchen and Brian live on FOX & Friends to discuss a recent incident in Yazoo County involving local volunteers and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees. Volunteers with faith-based organizations were asked to change their shirts because of a religious message on the shirt, before they were allowed to proceed with an interview with a FEMA employee. This interview hits on the details of this episode and Congressman Harpers encouraging conversation with FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate.


 



Related Posts: Gregg Harper upset with FEMA over T-Shirt Flap
Michelle Malkin addresses FEMA T-Shirt Flap

Michelle Malkin addresses FEMA T-Shirt Flap

FEMA attempts to whitewash faith-based volunteers


A few years ago, economist Arthur Brooks wrote a must-read book on volunteerism in America titled, “Who Really Cares.” An excerpt:

The conventional wisdom runs like this: Liberals are charitable because they advocate government redistribution of money in the name of social justice; conservatives are uncharitable because they oppose these policies. But note the sleight of hand: Government spending, according to this logic, is a form of charity.

Let us be clear: Government spending is not charity. It is not a voluntary sacrifice by individuals. No matter how beneficial or humane it might be, no matter how necessary it is for providing public services, it is still the obligatory redistribution of tax revenues. Because government spending is not charity, sanctimonious yard signs do not prove that the bearers are charitable or that their opponents are selfish. (On the contrary, a public attack on the integrity of those who don’t share my beliefs might more legitimately constitute evidence that I am the uncharitable one.)

To evaluate accurately the charity difference between liberals and conservatives, we must consider private, voluntary charity. How do liberals and conservatives compare in their private giving and volunteering? Beyond strident slogans and sarcastic political caricatures, what, exactly, do the data tell us?

The data tell us that the conventional wisdom is dead wrong. In most ways, political conservatives are not personally less charitable than political liberals—they are more so.

…People living in conservative states volunteer more than people in liberal states. In 2003, the residents of the top five “Bush states” were 51 percent more likely to volunteer than those of the bottom five, and they volunteered an average of 12 percent more total hours each year. Residents of these Republican-leaning states volunteered more than twice as much for religious organizations, but also far more for secular causes. For example, they were more than twice as likely to volunteer to help the poor.

I bolded that last part as a segue to this stomach-turning story from the Associated Press about how a FEMA official taping interviews with volunteers helping tornado victims in Mississippi was so sick of meeting faith-based volunteers in the area that he asked two women to change their shirts to hide their religious affiliation:

The top officer for FEMA said one of the agency’s videographers was “absolutely wrong” to ask Mississippi church volunteers not to wear religious T-shirts for a video about tornado cleanup.

Angela Lott and Pamela Wedgeworth, who are sisters, told The Associated Press that the FEMA worker videotaping the cleanup on Saturday in the small town of Ebenezer asked them to do on-camera interviews but requested that they change out of their T-shirts because of a Salvation Army logo.

“He said, ‘We would like to ask you to change your shirt because we don’t want anything faith-based,’” Lott said Tuesday.

Lott said she asked him why he didn’t want to feature faith groups.

“All he said was, ‘We’ve done that hundreds of times,’” Lott said.

No surprise there.

If only the religious volunteers had worn ACORN or SEIU or “God is Dead” t-shirts, the FEMA employee would have featured them in full-length documentaries and bought them steak dinners.

Michelle Malkin

WJTV: Congressman Gregg Harper Upset With FEMA Over T-Shirt Flap (Video)

WJTV Reports:

Mississippi’s 3rd District Congressman is demanding answers from FEMA. More than 300 people spend their Saturday volunteering to help Mississippi tornado victims. A FEMA photographer showed up to take pictures but asked a church group to change their t-shirts. The reason, the shirts included the Salvation Army logo and the photographer told volunteers faith-based organizations could not be profiled. The church volunteers were members of Crossgate Baptist Church in Brandon, Mississippi. Harper is a member of Crossgates Baptist Church.

After the storm

Christ Life ministry responds

When there's a disaster in the area, Tam Mayfield of Flora springs into action. As the founder and executive director of CHRIST Ministries, Mayfield helps those in crisis following natural disasters, including those in the Yazoo City area who are suffering following the deadly tornado there a couple of weeks ago.

Donations for Mississippi tornado relief are being taken at Christ Life Highlands Church Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 670 Highland Colony Parkway, about a half mile south of the traffic circle, in Ridgeland. Items being collected are bottled water, canned goods, toilet paper, soap, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, work gloves, garbage bags and cat and dog food. "We are not collecting clothes any longer," Mayfield said. "The Salvation Army is much better equipped to distribute clothes." Mayfield said the ministry will distribute items to those affected by the tornadoes for the next month to six weeks.

Read the entire story at The Madison County Herald

Yazoo City bustling with signs of healing

Sounds of swinging hammers fill the air along U.S. 49 and Old Benton Road. It seems like every other building has a roofing crew crawling atop it.

Yazoo City appears to be healing - less than three weeks after a tornado struck this community.

Nearly 200 homes in Yazoo County were destroyed by the April 24 tornado or suffered major damage - the most of any of the counties hit. And nearly half of the $1.2 million in individual disaster grants distributed by the federal government has gone to residents of the county.

State Sen. Kenneth Wayne Jones, D-Canton, who represents the area, said he is satisfied progress is being made. Jones said some of that has to do with the coordinated effort of the federal and state government, but most of the credit for the speed of the cleanup goes to the local communities.

Despite the damage, morale is high, he said.

"From what I can see, it's been overwhelming with communities supporting each other," Jones said.

Most of the struggles of individual homeowners revolve around insurance claims.

Alberta Harris was among those at the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center in Yazoo City this week trying to figure out her next steps.

It is bad enough that Harris' home was severely damaged by the tornado, but it comes just a few weeks after the death of her mother. Harris, who hid under her bed when the tornado roared past, said the problem is the home belonged to her mother and the insurance policy still is in her name.

She applied for disaster assistance but said FEMA sent her back to her insurance company. Mostly, she has relied on help from local charities.

"I'm starting from scratch," she said. "I thank God for the churches. They helped me out."

FEMA spokeswoman Diane Allen said the disaster center in Yazoo City has processed 655 claims and was averaging about 55 claims a day.

Yazoo City Mayor McArthur Straughter said he believes some of his citizens' housing needs may be met with the arrival of one- and two-bedroom cottages originally constructed to house victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Read more at The Clarion Ledger

MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AGAIN RALLIES TO SUPPORT DISASTER DECLARATION

Delegation Supports Aid to Recover from Damage Caused by May 1 Tornadoes and Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Mississippi congressional delegation have again rallied to support the state of Mississippi’s request for a presidential disaster declaration to aid victims of floods and tornadoes that tore through north Mississippi earlier this month.

U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor, Travis Childers and Gregg Harper today sent President Obama a letter endorsing the disaster declaration application submitted by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to the White House late last week.

The state’s request seeks a federal disaster declaration for six north Mississippi counties where tornadoes on May 1 and subsequent flooding killed six people and damaged hundreds of homes. The Governor’s initial application would cover Alcorn, Benton, Lafayette, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties.

Regarding the May 1 tornado damages, the Mississippi lawmakers wrote: “The latest estimates show that 6 Mississippi lives have been lost and nearly 250 residences were destroyed or have major damage and 482 homes received minor damage. Much of this destruction has occurred in parts of our state that have been particularly affected by our nation’s current economic situation. Many of these counties have poverty levels that are more than double the national average.”

“We stand ready to face this new challenge by supporting the local communities, the State, and your administration as we work together to rebuild and renew areas destroyed by this major storm,” the delegation stressed in its correspondence to the President.

The lawmakers, who also backed Barbour’s application for federal assistance following a massive tornado on April 23-24 that killed 10 Mississippians, thanked President Obama for approving that request and making federal assistance available to the state.

Members of the congressional delegation have been consulting with Barbour, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and local officials regarding recovery efforts and outstanding needs in the damaged region. The issuance of a presidential disaster declaration, as requested by the state, would trigger the release of federal disaster assistance and resources.

The last courageous moments of the life of Nikki Bradshaw Carpenter

Relatives: Tornado victim lost life shielding sons

By SHELIA BYRD
Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. — Nikki Bradshaw Carpenter was tough: she could kill a deer and skin it. But when it came to her three sons, the 31-year-old mother was a nurturer and a protector.

Thus, friends and family say it came as no surprise to learn Carpenter had lost her life trying to shield her children from last weekend's killer tornado.

Rodney Bradshaw, her cousin, said he found Carpenter pinned by two collapsed walls, a washing machine and a refrigerator. Two of her sons were beneath her; a third at her feet. All three children survived.

On Thursday, a funeral was held for Carpenter, one of the 10 Mississippi victims of the severe weather system that kicked up tornadoes around the South and also left two dead in Alabama.

James Bradshaw said his daughter was just 5-foot-5 and slim, but had a powerhouse personality.

"I don't think she's met anybody that she wouldn't talk to," Bradshaw said. "I used to take her hunting and fishing. She killed a deer this past season, hung the deer, skinned it and cut it up and put it in the freezer. She was very feisty."

Moments before the twister barreled down the rural road where she lived in a mobile home, Carpenter's phone rang with a warning about the storm.

"We don't know who called. We never recovered the phone. Whoever it was saved them," said James Bradshaw, whose oldest grandson told him about the call.

Hoping to preserve precious memories, Carpenter pulled family photographs from the wall. Then, she grabbed the boys, piled pillows on top of them and covered them with her body. The twister lifted the trailer in the air like a paperclip, throwing it more than 100 yards, said Rodney Bradshaw.

When Rodney Bradshaw, arrived at the scene, he said the sight was jarring: "The two littlest ones were under her. The oldest one was at her feet. I still can't get her face out of my head."

He said a memorial service will be held for Carpenter in his hometown on May 8.

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES CREATION OF MISSISSIPPI DISASTER RECOVERY FUND

Nonprofit organization will accept donations for spring storm victims

Jackson, Mississippi – Governor Haley Barbour today announced the creation of the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund Inc., a nonprofit that will coordinate donations to aid residents recovering from the April 24 storms.

“The path of destruction left by these tornadoes is one of the worst I have seen,” Governor Barbour said. “We have families who need help rebuilding their homes and their lives. Mississippians are known for their generosity, and I know there are many people outside of the state who want to help. Mississippians also are known for their hard work and perseverance, and they will build these communities back strong.”

Anyone who would like to contribute can donate either through the web site, http://www.mississippirelief.com/, or by sending a check to the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund, c/o BankPlus, 4450 Old Canton Road, Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39211.

“The goal of the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund will be to help meet the needs of our communities that cannot be met by the government,” Governor Barbour said. “After seeing the devastation on television or in person, people want to help in any way they can. The recovery fund gives them that chance.”

The web site also will guide visitors to volunteer opportunities through the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service.

The Disaster Recovery Fund will be managed by a board made up of members from the affected areas. The board members will determine the distribution of funds to address unmet recovery needs.

Hymnal found in the debris at Hillcrest Baptist Church from Saturday's tornado.

Hang in there 'zoo crew!

MC Journal: Barbour saws to Yazoo with Flora mayor

As Flora Mayor Les Childress and dozens of other volunteers used chain saws and tractors to clear debris off U.S. 49 to Yazoo City following Saturday's deadly tornado, he turned around to see Gov. Haley R. Barbour pitching in.

Childress and many other Flora residents were some of the first on the scene Saturday, literally cutting their way through downed trees to reach victims of an EF-4 tornado that cut through central Mississippi and claimed 10 lives.

State officials are estimating nearly 700 homes were damaged and 49 people were injured during the storms. Two others died in Alabama.

The hardest hit areas included Yazoo and Choctaw counties. This week Barbour asked President Barack Obama to declare both counties major disaster areas to open up aid for residents and business owners.

On Saturday, Barbour, a Yazoo City native, was on the front lines clearing debris from U.S 49 and directing traffic to give workers enough room to clear the roadway.

"It really hit home for him," Childress said. "You could tell he was really trying to get there (Yazoo City)."

Childress said they were all shocked at the amount of devastation before them, but the mayor said he was even more amazed at the almost instantaneous outpouring of support from the community.

"I went up there Saturday around 1 p.m. right after it happened and there were already folks from Flora there," he said. "Every citizen that lived in the surrounding area was there working to try and help out their neighbors.

"Flora has a lot of ties to Yazoo County," he added. "They're family."

Read more at the Madison County Journal

MISSISSIPPI DELEGATION UNITED IN SUPPORT FOR DISASTER DECLARATION

Federal Lawmakers Endorse Barbour Request for Disaster Aid Following Tornadoes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – All members of the Mississippi congressional delegation today signaled their united support for approval of a federal disaster designation that would sanction federal recovery resources to help Mississippians recover from a deadly storm that tore across the state Saturday, killing 10 people and destroying scores of homes.

The delegation today sent President Obama a letter endorsing the disaster application submitted by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor, Travis Childers and Gregg Harper.

“We know from our ongoing recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which hit our state in August 2005, that significant resources and cooperation are necessary to recover fully from natural disasters as quickly as possible. We stand ready to face this new challenge by supporting the local communities, the State, and your administration as we work together to rebuild and renew areas destroyed by this major storm,” the lawmakers wrote to the President.

The letter also notes the ongoing economic hardship of the affected areas, as well as the need for Congress to replenish funding for the Disaster Recovery Fund administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A supplemental appropriations bill pending before Congress would add $5.1 billion to the FEMA fund.

Members of the congressional delegation have been consulting with Barbour, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and local officials as recovery efforts get underway. The issuance of a presidential disaster declaration, as requested by the state, would trigger the release of federal disaster assistance. Barbour’s initial federal disaster declaration request would encompass Choctaw and Yazoo counties, with other Mississippi counties expected to be added as damage assessments across the state are compiled.

The following is the text of the congressional delegation’s letter to the President:

Dear President Obama,

In the wake of devastating weather events across the Southeastern United States this past weekend, we are writing to request your full consideration of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Yazoo County, Mississippi and Choctaw County, Mississippi.

We also understand that the State of Mississippi and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly continue to assess the damage across the state, particularly in Attala, Holmes Monroe, Union, and Warren Counties. It is our understanding that Governor Barbour will request a federal disaster declaration in Holmes County sometime today. Should Governor Barbour request federal disaster declarations for these or other counties, we are hopeful you will also give these requests your full consideration.

We have been encouraged by the efforts of FEMA to deploy rapidly to Mississippi to assist state and local officials in estimating the severity of the initial damage caused by a series of tornado touchdowns, some rated as devastating as EF-4. The latest estimates show that 10 Mississippi lives have been lost and hundreds homes have been destroyed. Much of this destruction has occurred in parts of our state that have been particularly affected by our nation’s current economic situation. Many of these counties have poverty levels that are more than double the national average.

Examination of National Weather Service data shows that these tornado touchdowns were some of the most extreme in Mississippi’s history. Preliminary estimations show that one of the touchdowns was 1.75 miles wide at some points and stayed touched down for 149 miles, carving a path of destruction across the heart of our state. If these estimates hold, this storm event will lay claim to the widest tornado in Mississippi’s history and the fourth longest touchdown distance in our state’s history.

We know from our ongoing recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which hit our state in August 2005, that significant resources and cooperation are necessary to recover fully from natural disasters as quickly as possible. We stand ready to face this new challenge by supporting the local communities, the State, and your administration as we work together to rebuild and renew areas destroyed by this major storm.

We are also very aware of the depleted status of the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund and the potential effect a disaster declaration for this past weekend’s events in Mississippi could have on its solvency. We are hopeful that the Disaster Relief Fund will be replenished as soon as possible so that federal assistance for this and other disasters can flow freely to states in need.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.

A good reason for a great meal!

That's all I needed, another good excuse to go eat some of those gold band oysters. AJ's also has some of the best ceviche around.

WJTV:

Madison Restaurant Offers Community Ways to Help Tornado Victims


MADISON, Mississippi – April 27, 2010 – AJ’s-on-the-Lake has asked its patrons and servers to band together to help our neighbors in need after last week’s tornados by matching gratuity and part of proceeds at the restaurant this week.

AJ’s servers are donating 30% of their tips received this weekend to Mississippi Tornado Relief Efforts. The monetary amount will be matched by AJ’s Management. And all week, AJ’s will be matching part of your proceeds on special menu and drink items in order to raise money for the communities in need.

AJ’s has also asked patrons to bring non-perishable food, bottled water, clothing and bedding and other items to aid in relief efforts for storm victims if they would like the restaurant to transport the goods to the donation center at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds on their behalf.

About AJ’s on the Lake
AJ’s on the Lake has been locally owned and operated by Lucy and John Taylor for the past ten years. AJ’s provides a casual fine dining atmosphere, some of the freshest seafood in Central Mississippi, as well as steaks and pasta. AJ’s won Taste of Mississippi’s best entrée for 2010 and was voted best seafood restaurant in the state by Mississippi Magazine in 2009. AJ’s is located off Highland Colony Parkway just north of Steed Road. For more information, visit http://www.ajsgrille.com/
 

Flora pitching in to assist with Yazoo Tornado Relief

The Town of Flora, along with the assistance of Wilmon Holmes, Ramey's Supervalu, Flora United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church, Flora will have a non-perishable food drop off at Ramey's Supervalu in Flora today (Tuesday) from 4 pm -7 pm and on Wed. 10 am - 6 pm and Thurs. 10 am - 6 pm . The donations will be taken to those who were affected by the deadly tornado last Saturday in Yazoo City and the surrounding area. Bottled water and non-perishable canned foods are greatly appreciated. Also in need are cleaning supplies such as mops, brooms, cleaning rags, Clorox, Mr. Clean, buckets, heavy duty garbage bags, and rubber gloves.

MDEQ offers Debris Management Guidance for storm ravaged areas

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has developed three debris management guidance documents in response to this weekend’s storm events. MDEQ is providing information to local governments on selecting temporary emergency debris sites, the locations of existing solid waste sites, and dealing with asbestos.

“As a native of Yazoo County, I understand clearly the challenges facing local governments in that county and also in Warren, Holmes, and Choctaw counties. The amount of debris left behind is a big challenge for any county. Therefore, MDEQ has moved quickly to provide guidance to local officials who are dealing with large amounts of debris and other solid waste. We realize the need for additional public solid waste management facilities and are here to provide that information as well as for other solid waste management issues,” said MDEQ Executive Director Trudy Fisher.

The MDEQ documents include the following:

• Guidance to local governments on selecting and requesting approval for emergency debris management sites for burning, storage, or chipping of vegetative debris and storage/staging of structural debris.
• Guidance on the existing permitted solid waste facilities available in the 4 high impact counties and the permitted solid waste facilities in the adjacent counties to those high impact counties.
• Preliminary guidance on dealing with asbestos containing materials advising people to be cautious in managing and cleaning asbestos materials at single family homes and advising owners of commercial, non-residential, and multi-family dwelling unit owners to contact MDEQ for further guidance

The documents are available at:
http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/SW_EmergencyDebrisManagementGuidance4.24.2010?OpenDocument

MDEQ Press Release

Allstate Announces Mobile Claims Centers Located to Yazoo City For Disaster Relief

Allstate has set up a Mobile Claims Center in Yazoo City, Miss. to help policyholders affected by Saturday’s tornado. The self-contained mobile claims office is equipped with generators, satellite technology and high-speed internet connectivity allowing Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team the ability to provide customer claim support in areas hardest hit by a tornado.

By visiting a Mobile Claims Center, Allstate customers will be able to start the claims process and ask questions about their claim.

The current Allstate Mobile Claims Center location as of April 26, 2010, is listed below. The location of this unit is subject to change. For an updated list of locations visit www.allstate.com/catastrophe/Mobile-Response-Units.aspx

Sunflower Foods
734 E 15 St,
Yazoo City, MS

Hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Allstate policyholders whose homes or automobiles have been damaged or destroyed by the recent storm can contact Allstate by calling 1-800-54-STORM, visiting a Mobile Claims Center, or logging onto Allstate.com.

Governor declares Day of Prayer, State Flags at Half Staff for Period of Mourning

Gov. Haley Barbour has declared Tuesday as a Day of Prayer to remember Mississippians who suffered losses in Saturday's severe weather and for those families who lost loved ones in last week's oil rig accident.

Ten people in Mississippi died in Saturday's tornado.

Four Mississippians were reported missing in the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.

Barbour says the past few days "have been tough for many Mississippi families."

Barbour has ordered state flags to be flown at half staff April 27 through April 30 as part of a period of mourning.

Associated Press

Fox News highlights the incredible dedication of long time Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers (Video)

Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers -- a Baptist deacon -- says he was in his truck when the twister picked it up and flipped it four times. Shivers says he told God that if it was his time to die, he was ready. Later he went out in his hospital gown to help identify bodies.


Fox reporter, Kris Gutierrez does an amazing job with Mr. Shivers. How do you think a CNN or MSNBC reporter would have responded to Mr. Shivers' Christian worldview of the twister? Considering the response from Mr. Guiterrez, would the MSM respond with an "Amen" or the "We're praying for you, and I mean it"?

Town Hall

Gulf Coast Residents come to aid Tornado Victims in Yazoo City

State asks for volunteers to help with tornado relief efforts


Yazoo City, Miss., residents walk past a tornado destroyed home on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Many residents spent the better part of the day cleaning up and trying to salvage possessions in the homes and businesses damaged by Saturday's tornado. The director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said Sunday that volunteers are needed after a tornado sliced through dozens of counties, killing at least 10 people and destroying numerous homes.

Mike Womack, director of MEMA, said officials are working with the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service to coordinate emergency relief efforts.

"We've set up the Volunteer Reception Center, which will oversee volunteers and national service members," Womack said. "We need people to assist in the removal of fallen trees, destroyed homes, as well as the clearing of other debris."

Visit www.volunteermississippi.org to volunteer or call 888-353-1793. Registered volunteers will be contacted, Womack said.

Paige Roberts, executive director of the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of the Red Cross, was in Yazoo City on Sunday with at least one other volunteer from Jackson County.

Yazoo City has been reported to be one of the hardest-hit areas by the mile-wide twister that ripped through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday.

"It's bad here," Roberts said when contacted by cell phone on Sunday. "This is what tornadoes do. It ripped thorough cities and towns, leaving behind snapped trees. Trees cause the majority of the damage."

Roberts said when she arrived Saturday afternoon to the city that's just outside Jackson, she first encountered a family who lost their brother.

"He was asleep in his trailer, and a tree fell on it, killing him," Roberts said.

She also comforted two children who lost their mother as she tried to protect them.

"She died while trying to save her children," Roberts said. "The children are hospitalized, and both are under 7 years old."

Roberts said there are also Red Cross volunteers from Biloxi in Yazoo City.

"It reminds me of Katrina," she said. "The devastation is not as widespread as Katrina was, but the places that were hit resemble Katrina's destruction."

Roberts said more Gulf Coast volunteers could arrive throughout the week.

Mississippi Press

Tornado Relief Effort at Brandon City Hall

A tornado relief effort has been started at Brandon City Hall.


An 18-wheeler will be on site to collect relief items. Items being accepted: Non-perishable food, bottled water, clothing, bedding, sleeping bags, blankets, batteries, chain saws, blowers, towels, toiletries, cash donations, etc.

Location:
Brandon City Hall
1000 Municipal Drive
601-824-4579 or 601-955-1960

Collected between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Sun Pine has already agreed to supply pallets of cleaning supplies toward the effort.