By Katie Knapp
Omaha, NE – The Salvation Army in Omaha and the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter are assisting Parkersburg, Iowa tornado survivors.
Heartland Chapter CEO Tina Price says five of that group's volunteers are in Parkersburg, serving meals, coordinating relief efforts and performing other tasks. Those five are part of a crew of more than 75 American Red Cross volunteers sent to Parkersburg.
Price says natural disasters such as the Parkersburg tornado are a reminder that everyone should have a preparedness plan. She says the Heartland Chapter's leadership volunteers are on standby in case of severe weather in the Omaha area Thursday night.
Salvation Army Director of Disaster Services John Kuzma is also in Parkersburg. Kuzma says the Salvation Army is providing food, water, and protective gear for residents who are cleaning up after the EF-5 storm. He says rain and thunderstorms in Parkersburg are hampering clean-up efforts, and he could be there another week.
Both Salvation Army and American Red Cross volunteers undergo extensive training in order to respond to natural disasters such as the Parkersburg tornado.