Pemiscot County Information may be found here.

According to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, the number of tornadoes in the United States has jumped dramatically the first part of 2006 compared with the past few years. Through the end of March, an estimated 286 tornadoes hit the United States, compared with an average of 70 for the same three-month period in each of the past three years.

The number of tornado-related deaths stood at 38 before Friday's storms that were close to Nashville, Tennessee. The prediction center also stated that the average number of deaths from 2003 to 2005 was about 45 a year. Friday's storms in Tennessee added another 11 to the death toll.

Compassion Alliance is reaching out to assist in as many of these storm areas as possible. We serve as the lead agency for donation logistics and the supply distribution for Emergency Management officials in the areas where we work. Because there have been so many tornadoes back-to-back, we have depleted our disaster response funds. We would be grateful to all who are able to make an on-line donation at this time. You may also send a check directly to Compassion Alliance, PO Box 989, Nixa, MO 65714.

The number of disasters has also depleted our Disaster Response buckets. We would like to encourage individuals, civic organizations and churches to purchase supplies and assemble additional disaster buckets for us to use in our future disaster relief efforts. Click on Disaster Buckets for more information. Victims receiving these buckets are overwhelmed by the vitally needed products they contain, but even more overwhelmed that there are people who care enough to purchase the products and put the buckets together for people they may never meet.

Thank you for assisting Compassion Alliance in touching the hurting and bringing a ray of hope into seemingly hopeless situations.

April 5, 2006

Spring tornadoes have once again wreaked havoc in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. Thousands of lives in those states have been affected by the twisters that reduced houses, farms and commercial buildings to rubble and caused the deaths of at least 28 people.

Compassion Alliance arrived on location in Caruthersville, Missouri (a town in Southeast Missouri that was devastated by the tornado) on Monday after the tornadoes went through Sunday evening, April 2. In anticipation of our arrival, State and County Emergency Management officials had already established a location for us to use as a central point for receiving all donated goods. Once again, Compassion Alliance is pleased to serve as the lead agency for the Emergency Management officials in this area.

Because these storms hit very rural areas, resources have to be trucked from points several miles away from the devastated areas. Thus far we have had six trucks arrive with cleanup items and are anticipating another four or five semi loads today.

Kevin Montgomery, Compassion Alliance's onsite lead agency liaison relates, "Our real need is for funding that will enable us to purchase specific supplies to meet the specific needs of the victims in the various disaster areas. We are finding a great deal of diversity in need here. However, we are very appreciative of all donated product, especially products on the list provided."

Please check back each day for additional updates regarding the disaster relief efforts, as well as updates to the list of needed products.

Products Needed at this Time

All items can be brought to the Caruthersville location, which is the large tent that has been set up at the Aztar Casino, or they can be brought to the Compassion Alliance warehouse at 1609 North Highway CC, Nixa, MO 65714. Donations brought to the warehouse in Nixa will be trucked to the affected areas throughout the weeks ahead.

Please do not bring clothing to the Compassion Alliance Donation Center. Clothing will be handled by the Salvation Army and Churches in the affected areas.

CASH DONATIONS

Cash donations can be taken immediately by credit card online, or you can send your checks to Compassion Alliance, P.O. Box 989, Nixa, MO 65714. Please indicated on your check that the donation is for tornado relief. If you wish to designate your gift for the relief efforts in a certain county, please indicate that on your gift. All undesignated funds will be distributed according to county needs as they arise.
 
April 4, 2006 3:30 PM Update

Kevin Montgomery, Compassion Alliance's lead agency liaison for the organization's tornado response efforts in Southeast Missouri, updated the situation a few moments ago in regard to the circumstances in Southeast Missouri and Tennessee where tornadoes hit last Sunday evening causing millions of dollars in damage and loss of life. Ongoing assessments of the affected areas reveal the extent of the damage to be much more severe than original assessments indicated. "The town of Caruthersville has been totally devastated," Montgomery stated. "There is no water, no electricity and few buildings without extensive damage."

Compassion Alliance is serving as the lead agency for donations management for the State and local Emergency Management officials in the Southeast Missouri area. Anticipating CA's arrival, Emergency Management officials immediately asked Compassion Alliance to implement its highly efficient management strategies to ensure quality and effective service to the affected communities. Emergency Management has set up a receiving area for Compassion Alliance, enabling CA to receive all donated items into the one central location and then disburse the items needed at the various distribution points as they are established throughout affected counties of Southeast Missouri and Tennessee.

Compassion Alliance is continuing its practice of partnering with credible agencies to ensure accurate distribution to affected areas. "Much more can be accomplished when organizations work together as a team rather than when we all work as lone rangers," states Chad Holgerson, Vice President of Disaster Relief for Compassion Alliance. "We had great cooperation from all of the agencies and product providers during the cleanup work in Southwest Missouri, and everything went very smoothly. We are anticipating the same teamwork in the disaster efforts in Southeast Missouri as well."

"What Compassion Alliance did for us in Christian County and four other counties in Missouri, far exceeded our expectations," states Phil Amtower, Emergency Management Director for Christian County Missouri. "We could not have accomplished all we did for the tornado victims in our area without the professional, highly competent job Compassion Alliance did for us in serving as our lead agency for donations. They were able to receive the donated products and supplies and provide daily distribution of those products to our county's distribution points according to the needs of the centers. Southeast Missouri counties are fortunate to have Compassion Alliance involved in the disaster relief work in their areas."

April 4, 2006

Compassion Alliance has sent staff to the Southeast Missouri region to assist state and local emergency managers in recovery efforts from the tornadoes that struck Sunday evening. Staff members are identifying needs to be addressed from the damaged area. Compassion Alliance's Kevin Montgomery called early this morning and stated, "This is really, really bad. You wouldn't believe it." Hundreds of homes are destroyed and hundreds of people have lost everything. The areas affected are rural communities with limited resources and with limited retail outlets to help supply the local communities. Compassion Alliance is working with partnering agencies and the public to resource money and supplies to assist the victims. CA will continue to work with volunteers and volunteer agencies to insure accurate distribution of donations to the people in need.

Compassion Alliance is continuing relief efforts in Southwest Missouri. Thousands of pounds of supplies from local individuals and businesses as well as partnering agencies across the U.S. have been distributed in five counties in Southwest Missouri. CA will continue assisting agencies through the long term recovery process.

For more information call Chad Holgerson at 417-827-4389 or Kevin Montgomery at 314-409-9646. Compassion Alliance is receiving donations for both Southwest Missouri and Southeast Missouri storm events. If you would like to donate cash or supplies, please specify a designation for your gift.

A "Disaster Bucket" is the best way for families, churches and businesses to participate in giving towards this most recent disaster event. Details for how to create a Disaster Bucket is available on CA's disaster bucket page.