Relief and Rescue Operations Give Hope to Oklahoma City Tornado Victims

Oklahoma residents who have been affected by a monstrous tornado on Monday are now benefiting from the rescue and relief efforts of various local, national and international organizations that are helping those affected by the disaster through a very difficult time. Current relief efforts are not just providing Oklahoma City tornado victims with food, supplies, and temporary shelter, but emotional succor as well.

The severe storm system that ravaged suburbs of Oklahoma City has spurned relief efforts involving many sectors of society. Within a few hours after the disaster hit the word is already out as to how America and the rest of the world can help.

The American Red Cross

There are a number of relief organizations in Oklahoma that are offering support and relief services, and they accept various forms of donations as well. At the forefront is the American Red Cross which promptly opened a number of shelters and emergency response vehicles. The Red Cross is also delivering meals to tornado victims and calling out for blood donors. It has also put up “Safe and Well,” a website dedicated to connecting Oklahoma residents to their friends and loved ones.

The Salvation Army

Another organization that is currently involved in the support efforts is the Salvation Army. The group is accepting online donations and has mobile feeding units and disaster response teams operating in the affected area. The disaster response units are specifically providing relief services to Moore and other hard-hit areas in central Oklahoma. Mobile kitchens are serving around 2,500 people each day. The Salvation Army also accepts online donations. A $10-donation will feed a survivor for a day, whereas a $30-donation will supply a family of four with a food box or a cleanup kit.

Able and helping hands

One more relief agency currently at work in Oklahoma is Operation USA. This organization provides emergency help to community-based health organizations. This group is also working to help schools in the recovery process. In the meantime, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief provides services such as laundry and tree removal. They group provides meals as well. For those who prefer to give financial aid, they can donate money through the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund which is has been activated on May 21. Checks and online donations are accepted.

40 minutes

For 40 minutes, homes and business establishments were flattened down, cars were thrown and flipped across huge distances, and a couple of elementary schools were crushed. The tornado struck at Newcastle and then moved on to Moore. The death toll is still rising and so far 91 are confirmed dead, including 20 children because of the damage wrought upon the school buildings.

The tornado was classified as a Category 4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale and left a trail of death and destruction. The devastated community is still reeling from shock and the unparalleled loss. Streets remain clogged and power lines are down. More than a hundred victims are still being treated at hospitals. Seventy of the 145 injured are children.

Photo Credit: The 2013 Oklahoma City tornado as it passed through south Oklahoma City.