News Release - Regional disaster staff and volunteers from the American Red Cross are providing support in Darlington County to families affected by the tornado that moved through the area late Sunday.
Red Cross disaster action team members have mobilized emergency response vehicles for mass feeding of both disaster victims and first responders.
Teams from both the Pee Dee Chapter and the Coastal South Carolina Chapter, along with other volunteers from the Columbia Region of the Red Cross, went street by street today to provide damage assessment to determine what additional resources are needed. That group identified 26 structures damaged, including one house that was destroyed and seven with major damage. A total of 50 families are said to be affected by the storm with damage assessment ongoing.
A primary response by Red Cross today was to provide food for affected families and first responders. A shelter will be opened at 5 p.m. at Darlington Recreation Department at 300 Sanders St. Darlington Emergency Management officials have said individuals should report to the shelter by 7 p.m.
An estimate of damage is still in progress and donations are being taken to help in the response. Sonoco made a $10,000 donation to local disaster relief and donations can be dropped off at any Carolina Bank location, according to Linda Boone-Smith, Pee Dee Chapter executive.
"We're extremely grateful for Sonoco's continuing support of our disaster relief efforts," said Boone-Smith.
To make a donation or to learn more about the Red Cross relief efforts, call the Pee Dee Chapter at 843-662-8121, or contact the Red Cross chapter closest to you by visiting www.redcross.org
