As the demand for Red Cross sheltering and feeding has dwindled, a sign that tornado-affected Georgians are moving forward with their recovery, the Red Cross is now transitioning to client casework.

Volunteer caseworkers continue to go door-to-door, county-by-county in identified, hard-hit areas to offer Red Cross resources to survivors. When families aren’t home, caseworkers leave a note with follow-up information and resulting call-backs to the toll-free Red Cross Georgia Tornado Call Center grow daily.

Anyone who needs information on Red Cross tornado relief services in Georgia is urged to call the Red Cross-Georgia Tornado Call Center, toll-free, at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and follow the prompts for disaster relief in Georgia. The call center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is a resource for families with questions about what services the Red Cross is providing and how to access them.

“We’ll continue to work with families on a case-by-case basis to evaluate their emergency caused needs and to make referrals to government and community resources that can also help, said Fran O’Shaughnessy, director of the Georgia Red Cross Tornado relief operation. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all Red Cross clients displaced by the tornadoes have a working recovery plan.”

Red Cross response to date:

- 418 Red Cross volunteers and staff in hard-hit areas of Georgia are working with community partners to provide shelter, meals, health and mental health services, clean-up supplies, and other recovery resources.

- 49,703 meals have been served and 1,503 clean-up and comfort kits have been distributed. Ten emergency response vehicles were mobilized to provide mobile feeding and clean-up supply distribution.

- 9,678 bulk items have been distributed (including rakes, sunscreen, diapers, baby formula, insect repellent, garbage bags, dust masks, paper towels and more).

- 486 people were provided safe haven in 11 Red Cross shelters. As people made their way home or found alternative housing, Red Cross shelters were closed. The Red Cross will work with local emergency partners to ensure that any temporary emergency housing needs are met.

- Red Cross nurses and mental health counselors are providing health and mental health services for those facing the daunting task of rebuilding.

- Red Cross damage assessment teams report 600 homes in Georgia destroyed, 595 with major damage.

A FEMA disaster center is still set up at the Shirley Smith Learning Center in Benton Place campus.