More than 50 Red Cross staff and volunteers from across southeast Michigan have been providing disaster relief since the Monroe County tornadoes struck at 3 a.m. on Sunday, which wreaked devastation in their paths.

The latest figures show that 318 homes were damaged in the areas of Dundee and Estral Beach, with 15 homes being completely destroyed. To help the people recover from the devastation, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter and the Monroe County Chapter have been providing the following services:

They opened a temporary shelter on Sunday for 220 people.
They conducted an extensive damage assessment of affected homes to pinpoint where assistance is needed. Casework outreach teams are continuing to assist those families hardest by this disaster, providing assistance for emergency food, clothing, and shelter, and offering emotional support.

Bulk distribution teams are handing out yard tools and clean up kits to families who need assistance with debris removal and clean up.
The Red Cross has also been working closely with the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners: the Salvation Army, Monroe County Opportunity Program, Dundee Baptist Church, Dundee Assembly of God Church, Dundee Church of the Nazarene, Monroe County Commission on Aging and the Monroe Department of Human Services office.

In addition to individuals, schools and others, the Red Cross would like to send a special thank you to WXYZ Channel 7, which held a telethon for Red Cross disaster relief and raised nearly $14,000; Health Plan of Michigan for a very generous donation and matching gift to the Village of Dundee; DTE for their donation of heavy equipment; and staff and Meijer Stores for water, yard tools, tarps and work gloves.

“Health Plan of Michigan is pleased to support the American Red Cross and the people impacted by the recent tornadoes in southern Michigan. As a Michigan based Medicaid Health Plan, serving Monroe County residents for over 10 years, we felt compelled to help the residents of Dundee impacted by this terrible disaster,” said Michael Cotton, VP of Operations of Health Plan of Michigan. “Many within the community have lost so much, we just want to help”.

To help people affected by disasters, like the recent tornadoes in Monroe County, donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, by calling 877-788-0014, texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 for a $10 donation, or mailing a donation to American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, 100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110, Detroit, MI 48244-0110. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.

Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski

248-224-5606