How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims

Dozens of people – including children – were killed when a massive tornado Monday afternoon ripped through the town of Moore, Okla., a suburb of Oklahoma City, according to the Associated Press.

As search-and-rescue crews continue to dig through the rubble, many people are wondering what they can do to help those affected by the disaster.

John Mozena, spokesperson for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan, said the organization should know more later today about exactly how much help is needed.

"We're still in the assessment phase of what's going on in Oklahoma with our disaster assessment professionals," he said. "You see the photos of the devastation and it's just horrific, and the people in the town have lost everything."

How you can help tornado victims

• One way to donate to the American Red Cross relief efforts is to text the word REDCROSS to 90999. This donates $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Mozena said.

• You can also visit redcross.org for information on other ways to donate.

• The Salvation Army is also providing emergency relief services in Oklahoma. You can donate online here, text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10, or make call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to make a donation.

• Operation USA is supplying emergency aid and helping community health organizations and schools recover from the storm damage. You can donate here or make a $10 donation by texting the word AID to 50555.

• Visit the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website to target your donations directly where they are needed.

• United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations. Donate at www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK  73101. Note that your donation is for May Tornado Relief.

• Contributions can be made securely to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to the Tulsa Community Foundation offices at 7030 S. Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.
• For a longer list of organizations related to recovery from the tornado, see this list on The Huffington Post.

Tips on disaster preparedness 

Mozena said another thing Detroit area residents can do is make sure their families are prepared for a natural disaster.

Experts suggest having and practicing a family disaster plan and also having a disaster preparedness kit for home and office.

"One of the best ways to support the Red Cross is to be prepared," he said. "The best thing you can do for the Red Cross is to not need us in the case of a disaster because you were prepared. You can help neighbors, others ... because you had food, water, clothes, medications."

You can find more information on disaster preparedness at redcross.org and ready.gov.