Texas Red Cross: Tornado Damage Assessment Just 1st Step Of Recovery
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Red Cross teams have finished counting, and report that some 1,100 homes are not livable, have major damage or were completely destroyed by the deadly tornadoes that struck North Texas the day after Christmas.
Anita Foster, the Chief Communications Officer of Red Cross North Texas, says the assessment is the first step of the recovery process. "We're only at the beginning of the relief operation. This will take many, many months to recover from with the physical damage. But what happens emotionally can even take longer."
Just hours after the storms passed through the Red Cross helped coordinate and open six shelters that housed more than 500 displaced residents. Today only one facility remains open and the number of people seeking shelter has been reduced by more than 95-percent.
Foster encourages anyone affected by the tornadoes to contact a Red Cross caseworker to see what help is available.
In addition to help with housing and clothing, Foster says mental health support is also available at all relief centers and through the Red Cross Helpline.
While people are beginning to get an idea of the meteorological impact, physical loss and damage, Foster says victims are just beginning to feel the mental and emotional toll. "We've really ramped up our disaster mental health services in the last few days, knowing that as people clear debris, and they're finished sifting, looking for pictures, looking for mementoes, then the reality starts to set it."
The response to help storm victims has been tremendous, but anyone wanting to help can always donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief on the Red Cross website, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
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