To date, Red Cross preliminary damage assessment reports indicate that 47 homes in Effingham County were affected by Saturday night’s tornadoes.

Currently three American Red Cross emergency response vehicles are on the scene providing food, water and comfort kits to those affected by the tornado.  Approximately 1,400 meals and snacks have been distributed by Red Cross volunteers and paid staff.  Many of the Red Cross volunteers have traveled from Chatham, Bryan, Liberty and Screven counties and are working hand in hand with Effingham County’s disaster volunteers. Red Cross workers are continuing to do damage assessment of the affected area and are going door to door to determine needs and provide assistance.

When disasters like this tornado hit our area, Red Cross has disaster volunteers that have been trained and are Red Cross Ready to respond.  Currently, Effingham County has five Red Cross disaster volunteers that make up the Effingham County Disaster Action Team (DAT).  

If the disaster is large enough or is prolonged, and there are not enough local disaster volunteers, DAT team members from surrounding counties will come to assist; as they have during this disaster.  If you would like to be Red Cross Ready to help your community when disaster strikes, call (912) 651-5314 and sign up to get trained.