Red Cross helps storm victims

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- A new American Red Cross emergency response vehicle is expected to return to Cape Girardeau today from its first local mission -- spending nearly four days in storm-crippled Farmington with volunteers that have helped feed, house and assist residents who were displaced and without power.

The vehicle, similar to an ambulance without the sirens, arrived in Cape Girardeau Friday and an hour later was sent to Farmington filled with 200 cots, food and other supplies.

"We even took some toys," said Brent Nelson, a development specialist with the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross. "If you can give a little bear to a child who needs to hug something, that's a good thing."

About 25 area volunteers also went to Farmington, where a shelter was set up at an area school. The volunteers helped feed 60 people three meals a day and provided shelter for 50 to 60 people a night, said Jamie Koehler, who went to Farmington as director of disaster services for the Red Cross.

More than 200 National Guard soldiers from units in Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Fredericktown, Festus and Perryville are continuing work today in support of the cleanup, according to a Guard release.

The Missouri National Guard has extended an open invitation to cover the work of Southeast Missouri's citizen soldiers as they assist following this disaster, the release said. The soldiers are assisting in much the same manner as they did following this past summer's storms in St. Louis.

Farmington was still iced over in spots and lots of trees had fallen from the weight of the snow and ice, she said. Though most of Farmington had power restored Monday, Koehler said she suspected patches in outlying areas were still without electricity. Originally, more than 30,000 homes were without power after the storm, she said. She expected most of the displaced residents were going back home Monday night, although about 10 to 12 would remain at the shelter.

One problem, Nelson said, was that Farmington is not in the local Red Cross' service region. "But they're so busy up there with all that's going on in St. Louis, we're very happy to help our neighbors to the north," he said.

That has also created a problem with collecting donations, Koehler said, with some stores being less willing to help those outside of this area. So the Red Cross has been using its own funds to buy food and other necessities, meaning local coffers are in need of replenishing.

Those wishing to donate can write checks to the American Red Cross/Southeast Missouri Chapter, 2430 Myra Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63703.

"If it hits here, we'll need to have a good stockpile of stuff ready to go in case of an emergency like this," he said.

Koehler said people in Farmington seem to be making do.

"People have been warm, dry and safe," she said. "Some of the children are in the school gym playing basketball and watching movies."

Koehler said she would encourage Southeast Missouri residents to evaluate their own emergency reserves. "Every household ought to think about what they would need if they didn't have power," she said. "If most people could be prepared for three days, that would really help them."

-- Scott Moyers