The city of Moore, Oklahoma – near Oklahoma City – was devastated by a tornado yesterday. Reports have the tornado producing up to 200 mile/hour winds with a width of up to 2 miles while on the ground for 40 minutes. As of this morning, there are conflicting reports a casualties with reports of 24 to 51 fatalities. Rescue workers continue to search schools and residences for survivors.
Here are some ways you can help:
The American Red Cross accepts donations through its web site: redcross.org/support. Oklahoma residents may be able to donate money, blood, or other support items locally. You can also make an immediate $10 donation by texting the word "REDCROSS" to 90999. The charge will appear on your next telephone bill or be deducted from the prepaid balance. The Red Cross put out this statement yesterday. The American Red Cross and Oklahoma City Red Cross will continue to open shelters as damage is assessed.
The Salvation Army also accepts online donations to support the Oklahoma tornado survivors. You can contribute or find out more information at: salvationarmy.org. You can make an immediate $10 donation by texting "STORM" to 80888. The Salvation Army is also accepting contributions by mail. Make your check payable to the Salvation Army with "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" in the memo line and mail to: Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157.
The United Way has created a disaster relief fund to support tornado victims and survivors. Donations can be made online at the web site for the United Way of Central Oklahoma. You can also send contributions by mail with "May Tornado Relief" in the memo line to: United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.
Operation USA will send supplies to aid Oklahoma medical organizations and schools. Donations can be made at the Operation USA web site: opusa.org. You can make an immediate donation by texting the word "AID" to 50555.
Samaritan's Purse is sending a disaster relief unit and staff personnel to assist victims and survivors of the tornado. You can support this effort at the Samaritan's Purse web site.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has sent volunteers to assist tornado victims and survivors. You can support their efforts at their web site. You can also mail contributions to BGCO Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK, 73112.
Feed the Children is also accept donations to assist tornado survivors. This organization is providing food and other relief supplies to victims. A $50 donation will help deliver 375 pounds of relief supplies. You can donate here.
Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization that deploys military veterans to provide disaster relief. You can learn more and support these efforts at the group's web site.
© Copyright 2013 Brett A. Emison
Follow @BrettEmison on Twitter.
Brett Emison is currently a partner at Langdon & Emison, a firm dedicated to helping injured victims across the country from their primary office near Kansas City. Mainly focusing on catastrophic injury and death cases as well as complex mass tort and dangerous drug cases, Mr. Emison often deals with automotive defects, automobile crashes, railroad crossing accidents (train accidents), trucking accidents, dangerous and defective drugs, defective medical devices.
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