The death toll from the devastating Southern tornadoes now stands at 318. That makes Wednesday the deadliest day for a twister outbreak in the U.S. since March, 1932.
As Alabama recovers from the rash of tornadoes, a Myrtle Beach woman is reaching out to help.
Kristen Risher is a Tuscaloosa native who was heartbroken seeing the destruction in her hometown.
Risher and a friend who's also from Alabama have placed collection boxes around the Grand Strand, to gather items for tornado victims.
She says she had to do something, because she loves her native state.
"My family's there, we go over as much as we can, we actually just got back on Monday, so over here, it's hard. I can't be there with my family so this is the least I can do."
Risher just got started Thursday and by the next morning, she had already received calls and e-mails from people anxious to help.
"'What can I bring, where can I bring it, I want to help.' It's very overwhelming and just amazing the support."
Baskets will be set up to collect cash, too, though Risher suggests people also visit the American Red Cross or Salvation Army () web sites if they want to make monetary donations.
Risher and her friend are collecting non-perishable foods, household goods, bottled water, toiletries, baby supplies and much more. They've created a Facebook page where they have posted a full list of items and locations for the boxes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
