Residents whose homes were damaged by the April 16 tornadoes will be able to receive one-on-one casework and assistance from Red Cross outreach workers who are now fanning out across the affected neighborhoods. Residents in need of assistance can also call 1-800-REDCROSS to speak with a Red Cross call center operator.

The Red Cross will continue to meet with families over the coming days and weeks to provide individualized assistance with basic needs such as food, shelter, hygiene items, clean-up kits and mental health.

In addition to outreach teams, the Red Cross continues to provide mobile assistance on the ground in numerous locations via more than 30 emergency response vehicles delivering hot meals and bulk items such as clean-up kits, bottled water, gloves, rakes, shovels and more. Dozens of mental health workers are also going door-to-door to help residents cope with the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes.

Red Cross shelters in Wake Forest, Powellsville, Dunn and Fayetteville housed and fed about 150 people Friday night. As shelter populations dwindle, the Red Cross will evaluate the need to keep shelters open and will work with local government agencies to ensure remaining residents have housing when a shelter closes.

How you can help

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to get help to people affected by disasters. Please consider making a donation today to help to those in need. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Please do not bring donations of individual items like clothing and shoes to Red Cross shelters or chapter offices. Small items like these must often be cleaned, sorted and repackaged, which impedes the valuable resources of time, money and personnel that are needed for other aspects of our relief operation.

Your can help people affected by disasters like the recent floods, fire and tornadoes by donating as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the local chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.