(NEXSTAR) — Many of us woke up to the images of destruction and death across states like Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, and Tennessee, wondering what we could do to help. Thousands of families will be forced from their homes during the holidays and then begin the long road of repairing or rebuilding their property.
The American Red Cross is already on the ground assisting families affected by the storms. Red Cross teams in Missouri and Arkansas have tweeted that they’re assessing the situation and beginning relief efforts. In a matter of hours, hundreds of workers and volunteers will be working across the region to provide relief to those in need.
NewsNation is partnering with the Red Cross to raise disaster relief funds for those impacted by these storms. If you’d like to make a donation, you can follow this link. Online donation amounts begin as low as $10.
At least 88 people — including 74 in Kentucky — were killed by the tornado outbreak that also destroyed a nursing home in Arkansas, heavily damaged an Amazon distribution center in Illinois and spread its deadly effects into Tennessee and Missouri. It’s possible this was the first-ever “quad-state” tornado, according to WKRN meteorologist Mary Mays. It will be days before the National Weather Service will be able to confirm whether this was one tornado or multiple twisters.
“We just can’t confirm a number right now because we are still out there working, and we have so many agencies involved in helping us,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Sarah Burgess said.
In Kentucky, as searches continued for those still missing, efforts also turned to repairing the power grid, sheltering those whose homes were destroyed and delivering drinking water and other supplies.
“We believe our death toll from this event will exceed 50 Kentuckians and probably end up 70 to 100,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a news conference Saturday. “It’s very hard, really tough, and we’re praying for each and every one of those families.”
Other hard-hit spots included an Amazon facility in Illinois and a nursing home in Arkansas.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.