Alabama Tornado Assistance and Resources

 Following is a listing of resources for persons or businesses needing help, and organizations or businesses offering assistance to victims of the recent devastating tornadoes in Alabama.

BCA needs our members’ help in making this list as comprehensive as possible. If your business or association is offering assistance in any part of the state, please email that information to lenorev@bcatoday.org, and we will include it here.

May God continue to sustain those affected by this tragedy and those involved in relief and recovery.

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama has an extensive list of resources and helpful information:  http://www.edpa.org/community-res/disaster.asp  

Where to find help: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_where_you_ca.html

Call 1-800-REDCROSS to notify Red Cross as to what your needs are. Extensive information is available at http://www.redcross.org.
Storm victims needing rental assistance, home repairs or other disaster-related aid must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by calling 800-621-3362 or going online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Donations:
Businesses or individuals who wish to volunteer their time or make donations can do so through the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at 1-877-273-5018 or www.servealabama.gov.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief: Visit online donation page or call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services: Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org, click on their donation page and designate "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak." Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be mad to Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, Ga., 30384-0339.

Medical Care and Medical Donations: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has implemented an emergency plan to ensure access to medical care and medications for its customers. Download PDF here.

The Alabama Housing Foundation is a charitable foundation that works to improve the quality of life for manufactured/modular homeowners by helping persons with limited resources, who have health issues, or who have been affected by natural disasters or emergency situations. There are several levels of assistance, including the Emergency Assistance level which allows the Foundation to donate up to $500 for manufactured homeowners who meet certain criteria. For information or applications, contact Doris Hydrick, 334-244-7828 ext. 23. 

Elmore County: The Alabama State Employees' Credit Union (ASE Credit Union) has partnered with the Elmore County Economic Development Authority and set up a Disaster Relief Fund account for those affected by tornadoes in Elmore County. Monetary donations may be made at any ASE Credit Union branch in  Montgomery, Millbrook or Wetumpka.

Verizon Wireless has set up temporary cell towers, and two "cells on wheels" devices, to boost coverage in areas hardest hit. Cells on wheels, called "COWs," are operating in Tuscaloosa and Pleasant Grove. Temporary towers are operating in Cullman, Centreville, Jasper and east of Lake Martin to replace towers damaged in the storms. Verizon also has added capacity on other towers, and more than 99 percent of its Alabama network is now fully operational. Verizon Wireless stores in affected areas are open to residents, regardless of whether they have Verizon service, to assist with making calls or charging phones.

AT&T is sending a cell site on wheels (COW) to augment capacity at its existing site in Tuscaloosa that was damaged by the tornado. This capacity will help ease call congestion while the site is being repaired, and is located near DHS Hospital.

In East Cullman, AT&T is deploying a satellite cell on light truck (COLT) that will serve as a temporary cell site to replace service provided by the damaged site.

Other AT&T maintenance and response organizations have supplied close to 200 generators to the state to help maintain power to cell sites and other essential operations. In Tuscaloosa and Huntsville, AT&T will deploy a mobile office on wheels in where the public can charge phones and conduct business. Locations: Tuscaloosa: 1351 McFarland Blvd., in the parking lot of the AT&T store; Huntsville: 4929 University Drive, also adjacent to the store.

Air Specialty Inc. in Semmes is offering its location as a drop-off location for items that will go to tornado victims in North Alabama.
Items will be taken through next Wednesday. Hours for drop off: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rogers & Willard, Inc., builders in Mobile, are collecting items for needy families. Suggested items are bottled water, nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, batteries, clean used clothing, diapers, formula, household items, kitchenware, towels, sheets and flashlights. Bring items through Friday to 3005 Mill Street, Mobile.

Huntsville area: The Rock Family Worship Center, with campuses in Huntsville, Madison and Scottsboro, has a form on its web site for persons affected by the tornadoes to fill out for help, and anyone can make a donation. Call the church at  256-533-9292.

Limestone County: Realtors in  Limestone County are registering with the local Emergency Managment Agency in Athens to offer their services. If you need help, contact Board of Realtors President Cliff Mansel, 256-777-5170.   Limestone County Churches Involved, Inc. (LCCI), is providing non-perishable food items to individuals and families, and may also be able to provide assistance with medications, temporary lodging  vouchers and gas vouchers on a case-by-case basis. Located  at the corner of Jefferson and Hobbs Streets in Athens, LCCI is open 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Monday-Friday. Call 256-262-0671. Picture ID required.  

Pike County: Griffin-Wilkes Insurance in Troy is the drop-off site for Pike County residents. Citizens may drop off their relief items through this Friday. Two trucks will be going to Tuscaloosa Saturday morning, on am 18-wheeler full of water and the other full of "all other" items. Volunteers are needed to help as the group grills and offers  hot meals. 

Additional information for Walker County

Argo Volunteer Fire Department (205) 648-2202 - Needs plus-sized clothing,
to-go boxes and trash dumpsters

Carbon Hill American Legion Post 101 - Contact Jimmy Bagwell (205) 924-9864
or (205) 302-3551 - Needs non-perishable food items, baby items and baby
food. Also taking cash donations.

Blooming Grove Baptist Church - 1805 Blooming Grove Road Jasper (205)
387-8751 - Needs trash bags, lip balm, band aids, flashlights, batteries.

Dora Civic Center - 1485 Sharon Boulevard, Dora (205) 648-3211 - Offering a
shelter for overnight accommodations and a collection center open from 8:00
AM - 8:00 PM for donated items. Needs - baby items, batteries, flashlights,
washing powder for clothes, bottled water, ice, canned goods.

Mission of Hope - 2438 Sharon Blvd, Dora (205) 647-4766 - Offering food and
clothing. Needs - good used clothes, flashlights, batteries, baby items,
dry and canned food (preferably with pop top lids), can openers.

Sipsey Community Center - Sipsey - Offering lunch and dinner daily. Needs -
paper products including napkins, cups, paper towels, to go boxes, dessert
plates aluminum foil, baby needs, deodorant, water and hand sanitizer

Walker County Emergency Management Agency - (205) 384-7233

Sumiton First Assembly of God - Will be serving food in the evening until
7:00 PM. They are coordinating their efforts with the Mission of Hope.

Donated non-perishable donated items can be taken to Scott Crump Toyota or
Verizon Wireless on Hwy. 78 beside Walmart.

Sipsey Community Center will be serving lunch and dinner daily.

Jasper Jaycees Tornado Relief Fund taking donations checks made payable to
the fund. Mail checks to the Bank of Walker County, P.O. Box 3107, Jasper,
AL 35502.

Local Red Cross - Pam Fikes (205) 873-2681
Local Salvation Army - Lona Courington (205) 221-7737