Powerful tornadoes devastate southern U.S.

 

 

The Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge in Alabama, USA, was destroyed during tornadoes on 27 April. The damage caused District 6860 to cancel its annual conference. Photo courtesy of Tom Moore

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In response to the deadly storms and tornadoes that swept across seven southern U.S. states on 27 April, The Rotary Foundation has established a disaster recovery fund to support long-term club and district projects in affected areas.

Clubs and districts can donate cash and District Designated Fund (DDF) allocations to the Rotary Southern United States Tornado Disaster Recovery Fund. The deadline for contributing is 31 December.

At least 350 people were killed in the storms, which razed towns and caused between $2 billion and $5 billion in damages. Hundreds of thousands were left without power for several days.

The hardest-hit state was Alabama, with 250 deaths.

While tornadoes are common in the U.S. South, they are rarely this devastating, says Past RI President Glenn E. Estess Sr., a member of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley.

Since 27 April almost 30 tornadoes have hit Alabama, says Estess. "This is the worst destruction I've ever seen. Communities are completely destroyed," says Estess. 

Many local Rotarians are helping with immediate relief by volunteering with first-response organizations such as the Red Cross. Club members are also helping to clean up the debris, says Estess.

"Through all the damage and tragic loss of life, we are seeing a significant spirit of caring and desire to help our fellow man," he says. "Rotary will be there to help communities rebuild when many of these disaster relief organizations leave."  

Past RI Director Mark Daniel Maloney, a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, was stunned by the widespread damage.

"Driving through some of the communities, I realized the tremendous magnitude of the tornadoes. Chills went down my back when I saw the sheer destruction," he says. "There were areas where I couldn't see one vertical piece of construction."

Maloney says that two of the biggest long-term needs are educational opportunities for families and economic development.  

"Economic development will be extremely important for towns, where many of the businesses were destroyed," says Maloney. "Our goal is to provide resources to those with innovative ideas that will help people get back on their feet."

District 6860 has established a donor advised fund to assist with relief and recovery efforts. District Governor John H. Valieant was forced to cancel the district conference, scheduled for 28-30 April, because of severe damage to the venue, Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge.

The district's disaster recovery committee will be reaching out to communities to assess the most pressing needs, says Valieant. "We'll be there for the long haul to lend a hand to help people rebuild their lives."

Download the Rotary Southern United States Tornado Disaster Fund DDF contributions form.

Learn more about how to contribute.