Relief organizations are on the ground in Wessington Springs, providing assistance to those affected by an EF-2 tornado that hit the area Wednesday night.
Officials and volunteers with the Red Cross and Salvation Army are working to make sure basic needs are met during the initial response phase. Brian Shawn is the Regional Communications Officer for the Red Cross in North and South Dakota. He says over the last couple of days volunteers have served more than three thousand meals to residents and responders. He says the shelter is still open and busy, although nobody is staying there overnight. He says damage assessment continues over the next couple of days.
“And I think once we get into a point where the response is over and people are through this initial first few days of the disaster, then we can move into more of the recovery phase and help these folks plan out the next few weeks to bounce back in the community and get people back on their feet so to speak,” Shawn says.
For now, Shawn says the Red Cross needs donations.
John Kuzma, Divisional Disaster Director with the Salvation Army says monetary donations are best because it allows workers to purchase exactly what’s needed.
“After the cleanup, then people are going to assess what their needs are,” Kuzma says. “And then what will be established is what’s called a long term recovery committee that will work with different agencies in the community to provide assistance to folks that have already gone through insurance, FEMA money, or small business, whatever they’ve got so far.”
Lutheran Social Services is also assisting in the response effort. A mental health counselor is on site. Betty Oldenkamp is the President and CEO for Lutheran Social Services in South Dakota. She says officials intend to provide an update Saturday on how volunteers can help with the cleanup effort.
To donate to relief efforts via Lutheran Social Services, or for information on volunteering, click here.
To donate via the Red Cross, click here.
To donate via the Salvation Army, click here.
Cash donations designated to the Wessington Springs Relief Fund may also be dropped off at American Bank & Trust locations in Wessington Springs, Alpena, Huron, Wolsey, Miller, Huron-Walmart, Pierre, Mellette and De Smet.