Alabama: One Year Later

Written by Anita Foster, chief communications officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region


One year ago today, I was enjoying a lovely dinner at Dallas' famed "Celebration Restaurant" with my colleague, Vicki Eichstaedt, from the Red Cross in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We had spent the previous two weeks working on the Texas Wildfires out near Possum Kingdom Lake and having finished that operation, we made our way back to Dallas for a good meal before Vicki caught a flight back to Michigan. But then the phone rang and we knew that the lives of thousands of people, and ours, would never be the same.


On the other end of that phone call was our team from national headquarters reporting that a massive tornado outbreak was underway across the south. All we knew at the time was that the tornadoes were huge, they were on the ground in multiple locations and the University of Alabama was directly in the path. We did not know if our colleagues in Alabama were safe. 


Moving the bread basket to the side, we made a work station at our table and took copious notes about what was known and then we made our travel plans to get to Alabama first thing in the morning. 


When we arrived, we were surrounded by the costliest outbreak that the Unites States has seen. And one of the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history.


One year later, I still think about the people of Alabama. Their losses were impossible to comprehend.
But it's important to take a look at this outbreak as a looming warning of what Mother Nature can unleash. 


We shot this video from Phil Campbell and Hackleburg, Alabama last year. I said in the beginning that I just didn't have words to describe what we were seeing then. I would say the same today. There simply aren't words that can explain what these precious people experienced on this terrible day one year ago. Let's take a look back:



In the aftermath of the storms, the Red Cross provided nearly 8,000 overnight shelter stays, served more than 1.4 million meals and snacks, and distributed nearly 27,000 cleanup kits and approximately 40,000 comfort kits. More than 10,000 homes sustained damage. 


Having just gone through a widespread outbreak right here in the DFW area, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we count our blessings. While property was lost in the April 3, 2012 Metroplex outbreak, lives were not. That was not the case in Alabama so in memory of this significant day in history, I ask you to do two things today. 


1.) Keep the people of Alabama in your heart. Hundreds of families are experiencing the first anniversary of the deaths of their loved ones. 


2.) Prepare yourself and your family for the next round of storms by building your disaster kit. It can save your life.


When our phones ring at the Red Cross, we simply never know what we'll face on the other side. In the case of Alabama, it was truly one of the most chilling phone calls, followed by one of the most heartbreaking disaster scenes I've ever witnessed. But in true American spirit, the love and compassion from the people of Alabama and beyond created hope for everyone else. 


Blessings to the people of Alabama. 

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Southern States Grapple with Back-to-Back Disasters

Erica Williams, 12, receives a big hug from Janice Sawyer, Site Director for the Capitol River Chapter of Mississippi, in front of a flooded playground by Williams' home. Vicksburg, MS. Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

This year, spring tornadoes and floods have brought heartache to many parts of the South, but through it all, the American Red Cross is there to help people recover from April’s deadly tornadoes and now major flooding along the Mississippi River.

As the nation’s attention has turned toward the rising river, volunteers from the Red Cross and its community partners began going door to door this week to give residents flood preparedness information and to help them cope with this stressful situation. The Red Cross also opened shelters for residents evacuating flood-threatened areas, and remains ready to provide shelter for potentially thousands of people.

Even as many are now anxiously watching the Mississippi, other Red Cross relief efforts also continue across the South in response to the hundreds of tornadoes that devastated the region last month. Just over 1,000 people stayed in a shelter on Thursday night, including more than 150 in hard-hit Alabama. In that state, more than 12,000 homes were either destroyed or heavily damaged; in North Carolina, almost 2,000 homes.

The deadly tornadoes didn’t spare Mountain City, Tenn., either. Many families are now clearing their land of debris or beginning to repair their homes—and the Red Cross is there to support them.

Teams of volunteers in Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) are delivering meals and distributing cleanup kits and coolers full of useful supplies such as flashlights, work gloves and safety goggles to the people who live in this remote town nestled in Cherokee National Forest.

“I think it’s great; it really helps us out,” said Taylor Robbins, 17, who along with her mother, collected supplies from the Red Cross. “It feels good that people care about us.”

Vince Nicely, a Red Cross volunteer for more than 10 years, is on ERV duty in Mountain City, handing out meals and comfort kits.

“We’ve been doing something different every day,” he says. “I’m learning new things and it feels so good to help.”

ERV driver Tim Hopkins says he’s in it for the long haul. “I just want to stick it out and make sure we’ve got everybody taken care of,” he said. “It’s fulfilling when people are in that shape and you’re able to help.”

Red Cross volunteers like Hopkins will be working across the South for weeks to come as the tornado recovery continues, and as relief operations follow the flooding Mississippi. You can read more about how the Red Cross is responding to this spring’s severe weather on Redcross.org.

How You Can Help

The Red Cross estimates that it will spend as much as $31 million responding to the wildfires, tornadoes and floods that have occurred over the past several weeks, while initiating another costly large-scale relief operation to help people along the Mississippi River. The Red Cross has received $23.2 million in pledges and contributions for disaster relief since March 31 to support the current response in 23 states around the country

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; you can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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Three people, One call

Written by Jeanne Shuffler

When an F4 tornado rips through Alabama and over 300 tornadoes strike 11 states, a lot of phone calls are made once the skies stop rotating. One call is to our nationally trained and selfless team of experts in disaster response. The American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter sent nearly 20 of these volunteers to Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and other areas affected by the recent and devastating spring storm outbreak. Three of those volunteers shared with us the unimaginable and, at times surprising, things they witnessed and experienced in their first week.

Maureen Gargiulo and Sylvia Rodriguez rolled out of the Dallas Area Chapter less than 24 hours after the tornadoes hit. Driving one of the many Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) that would eventually be deployed for these storms, Maureen and Sylvia made their way through Tuscaloosa and then on to Birmingham for the night. Upon arriving, they were met with stark darkness, a reminder that there was little or no electricity in many areas.

Reaching their final destination in Rainsville near the northeast corner of Alabama, they realized this was unlike any other tornado operation they had worked before. Sylvia summed up her initial reaction saying, “It’s like someone just threw a bomb here. Everything is flattened.”

Traveling sometimes hours, they drive to hard hit communities in Alabama as well as crossing over to areas in Georgia and Tennessee. With their primary role to provide feeding in the communities, the logistics of 7:00 pm curfews and debris covered roads became something they would have to adjust to. During breakfast and through lunch, the neighborhoods would be bustling with people sifting through what was left of their home looking for any belongings that could be salvaged. By dinner, everyone would be gone, heading off in every direction to the homes of friends or family before night, and curfew, fell.

Through the devastation and the debris that Sylvia calls “The Mountains” surrounding them, there is an undeniable spirit of strength and community in the air. In one area, a place was set up where residents could take papers and documents belonging to their neighbors so they could get them back. In another area where one person’s home was a total loss, they are seen helping to put a new roof on their neighbor’s home. Another man who had lost his wife, went to volunteer to help his community rebuild.

The most surprising thing Maureen and Sylvia have encountered is the outpouring of support the Red Cross and other relief workers have received. As they make their way through the neighborhoods handing out meals, people are offering to donate money to the Red Cross and asking the volunteers how they are holding up. Sylvia recalled one woman commenting about how hard it must be for her to be out there, away from her home and family.

“I could only think to myself – no, it is harder for you!” Sylvia said. “They have lost their homes and they are asking if we are ok. It’s like they feel they have to take care of everybody else in addition to themselves.”

Maureen has seen this amazingly strong spirit from the people they meet too.

“All the locals want to help,” she said. “The people are taking care of the people up here.”

Over in northwest Mississippi, volunteer Ben Linke has experienced much of the same. Ben has been assisting with bulk distribution, helping with disaster assessments and generally getting needed items out to support the community.

In the 17 counties Ben has been working in, he has seen varying levels of damage. The town of Poplar Creek is one that was completely devastated and, in his words, a total loss. Right now, he and other Red Cross workers are doing their best to meet the needs of this community with comfort and clean-up kits and even diapers and baby food for those that have no other way to get these items.

Photo by Rusty Surette/American Red Cross

While visiting Prime Flats, he noticed one house standing with minimal or no damage with everyone pitching in to fix the roof. Two houses down, there was nothing left but the kitchen walls. Where you might expect to see despair here, instead stood pride. Since they no longer had a front of the house to hang their American flag, the homeowners made a makeshift flag pole from what was left of their mailbox post and some duct tape where that flag is now flying high.

In another area, Ben went to go check in on one gentleman who greeted him at the door and reached out to shake his hand.

“I looked down and noticed we were shaking hands through his screen door.” Ben said. “He didn’t seem shocked by it though and just walked out on the front porch and started talking to me.”

In all, it seems everyone is just grateful that help is there. “Our presence here is hot being overlooked,” Ben said.

Each of these Red Cross volunteers has consoled many tears and felt some uncertainty along with the residents. There still hangs a very present sense of anxiousness among the community. Storm spotters are still on the ground and the television stations are still running a constant scroll across the bottom of the screen telling people where they can get help and what they need to do.

For all of our Red Cross volunteers the days are often long and challenging. In the ERV, there is constant construction, difficult roads and long drives.

“Sometimes we will drive one or two hours to get to the place where we need to be going,” Maureen said.

Ben praises the very cohesive team he is with for keeping things running. A true sign of unity can be found in the staff shelter that was donated to them, a former United Methodist Camp which was unanimously dubbed “Camp Clara Barton”.

Now the areas are facing rains and the fear of widespread flooding is creating renewed concern. Maureen said there was a definite sense of urgency in the neighborhoods with people working as quickly as possible to salvage belongings before the water comes. Not sure when they will return home as the situation continues to change, two things to remain certain. One, these Red Cross volunteers are ready to stay as long as they are needed and, two, they will return with many more stories of strength and resiliency from the these amazing communities.

Video: Getting to Know Red Cross ERV Drivers



Photos: Tornado Damage in Alabama and Mississippi
Photos from Anita Foster and Ben Linke

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Tornado damage: Gail McGovern visits Birmingham, Alabama

Gail McGovern, American Red Cross President and CEO, joined Federal, State and local officials on a tour of tornado damage in one neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama.

She describes what she saw, and the work of the Red Cross in the area...

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Red Cross Responds to Unspeakable Tornado Destruction Across Alabama

Words are not adequate to describe what the people of Alabama endured when Mother Nature unleashed her fury on April 27, 2011. The American Red Cross has fanned out across this state, and many others, doing everything possible to help. Hot meals and safe shelters are open and mental health counselors are out in droves due to the unimaginable number of people grieving. You can cut the heartbreak with a knife. That's why we need your help. Go to www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a gift.

Storm victims need all of us to help right now so thank you in advance for caring about your neighbors near and far.

Video produced by Anita Foster, American Red Cross, Dallas, Texas on assignment in Phil Campbell and Hackleburg, Alabama

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Video: Red Cross Response to the Alabama Tornadoes

Charley Shimanski, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross, talks about the relief response for the tornadoes in Alabama. The Red Cross is providing shelter, emotional support, food, and other much needed items to people affected by the storms.

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Red Cross Sends Help After Deadly Tornadoes Blast Through the South

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The American Red Cross is helping thousands of people after Wednesday’s deadly tornadoes destroyed neighborhoods throughout the southern region of the country.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who lost loved ones or have suffered through these deadly storms,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Red Cross disaster teams are working around the clock to help the thousands of people whose lives are turned upside down. More Red Cross assistance is on the way.”

“Our top priority right now is to provide food and shelter to the thousands of people throughout the South and Midwest affected by these storms,” Shimanski said, adding that the Red Cross is also distributing relief supplies and providing emotional support and basic health services to disaster survivors.

Hardest hit was Alabama, where Governor Robert Bentley has activated National Guard troops to help in the devastated areas. The Red Cross is sending disaster workers, materials, blood products and equipment into the state. Nearly 40 emergency response vehicles are on the way, along with 25,000 ready-to-eat meals. Red Cross Blood Services is moving hundreds of blood products into the area, and Red Cross nurses and mental health workers are being deployed to help people cope with the aftermath of this disaster.

More than 1,600 people sought refuge in 65 Red Cross shelters Wednesday night as the storms forced them from their homes. Red Cross shelters are open in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas.

“Tornadoes and floods have devastated communities and uprooted families across many states, and the Red Cross is working hand-in-hand with our federal and community partners to get assistance to people in need and help them recover,” Shimanski said.

More than half of the country has been affected by this continuous band of damaging weather, disrupting people’s lives from North Dakota to the East Coast. In the last several weeks, Red Cross disaster workers have provided thousands of overnight stays in shelters, distributed thousands of clean-up and comfort kits and served hundreds of thousands of meals and snacks.

The Red Cross is able to respond quickly when emergencies happen with the help of corporations who are members of the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). ADGP members pledge donations on an ongoing basis to allow the Red Cross to pre-position supplies and be ready to take immediate action when disasters occur.

ADGP members include Walmart, UPS, UnitedHealthcare, The TJX Companies, Inc., Target, State Street Foundation, State Farm, Southwest Airlines, Ryder Charitable Foundation, Northrup Grumman, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Morgan Stanley, Merck, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; Kraft Foods; Kimberly-Clark Corporation, John Deere Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, GE Foundation, FedEx Corporation, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Darden Restaurants, Inc, ConAgra Foods, Cisco Foundation, Aon, Altria and 3M.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster, both here in the United States and around the world. Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. To make a donation, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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Help for Alabama

(AP Photo/The Birmingham News, Jeff Roberts)

Following the catastrophic tornado outbreak that has claimed nearly 200 lives, the American Red Cross is asking the community to help the Red Cross by making financial contributions. Click on www.redcross.org, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Last night, more than 2,700 people stayed in Red Cross shelters in 12 states affected by disasters and that number is only expected to rise in the days ahead.

Trained Red Cross volunteers here in North Texas are standing by in the event that they're needed to head to the deep south to help.

Locally, the Red Cross helped six families affected by the tornado outbreak that stuck our community earlier in the week. It is believed that all families have been assisted.

For updates on the tornado outbreak in the south, follow @RedCross @Mid_AL_RedCross or @RedCrossDallas on Twitter.

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