Louisville mayor urges compassion for tornado victims

Best way to help: giving cash to Red Cross, Community Foundation of So. Indiana

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 5, 2012) – Citing the “truly unbelievable” level of destruction and loss from Friday’s multiple tornadoes, Mayor Greg Fischer said Louisville has a chance again to demonstrate how compassionate the community is by donating to help storm victims.

 

“Although Louisville was spared, many others were not and they need our help,” Fischer said. “There will be a great need for volunteering with cleanup and recovery later, but the best way to help right now is by direct contributions of cash.”

 

People can give to the American Red Cross at www.louisville-redcross.org or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also give to the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana at 4104 Charlestown Rd. or by going to www.cfsouthernindiana.com. Their number is (812) 948-4662.

 

While the Red Cross focus is on immediate needs, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is establishing a fund for long-term help as people and cities rebuild.

 

Additional opportunities to donate are available through Kentucky Emergency Management at http://kyem.ky.gov/recovery/Pages/VolunteerCoordination.aspx

 

Early Saturday morning, the city responded to an urgent request for help by sending 15 members of the Louisville Fire search and rescue (SAR) team to the tornado-struck West Liberty area. Working in partnership with Lexington fire crews, the team deployed a heavy urban rescue truck, command center trailer and other equipment, and helped with recovery until Saturday afternoon.

 

Also over the weekend, the city offered to aid the response effort in Southern Indiana but city and county officials there said they had adequate resources on hand.

 

Fischer said the deadly storms are a vivid reminder for all citizens to be prepared with emergency plans and kits at the ready. Fischer said civil defense sirens sounded the alarm throughout Louisville. He urged Louisville residents to take the extra step of signing up for the city’s CodeRed emergency alert system which also worked well Friday in alerting citizens to the approaching storms. You can sign up at the city website: www.louisvilleky.gov.