Mobile Red Cross works around damage to provide aid

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - After assessing its own damage, the American Red Cross Chapter in Mobile said they are ready to assist residents affected by a tornado that struck Thursday morning.

The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross Alabama said their building was significantly damaged, but is habitable and four trailers at the office were damaged by the early morning storm which preliminary surveys indicate created EF-1 tornado. Elizabeth Saunders with the Alabama Red Cross said that didn’t stop volunteers from helping.

Vehicles outside the Red Cross’ Sage Ave. office in midtown all had their windows blown out, excluding one. They said volunteers will be mobilized in rental vehicles.

Elizabeth Saunders with the Alabama Red Cross said that didn’t stop volunteers from helping.

"Disasters don't pick and choose who or where and they are random and this one just happened to hit the Red Cross,” said Saunders.

The Red Cross said, so far, damage assessments indicate 10 homes with major damage and 50 with minor damage, which could include power outages.

Volunteer Annett Royce surveyed the damage on Union Avenue. She has been working with the Red Cross for more than 10 years and a longtime Mobile resident. She said it was something like she had never seen.

"Hurricanes hit everybody but I've never seen anything like this. most of the time its in Theodore and out in the county,” said Royce.

If you want to help the Red Cross, visit its website.