ATLANTA — At least 54 trailers loaded with supplies have hit the road from the FEMA Distribution Center in Atlanta to head to Ft. Campbell Kentucky. The trucks will bring necessities to thousands who have lost everything from recent tornadoes. Officials said 217 more loaded trucks are on standby, ready to roll out in the next two days.
The Associated Press reports that Kentucky was the worst-hit state in an unusual mid-December swarm of twisters across the Midwest and the South that leveled communities.
It's the reason cities across the nation are gathering materials to help those in need. FEMA's warehouse in Southeast Atlanta is a 406,000 square-foot facility, with huge pallets of water, cots, blankets, tarps and MRE's (meals ready to eat). The supplies sent so far are enough to help 15,000 people. Also, 61 generators sent in the trucks will help hospitals and other critical need buildings who are still without power.
Deputy Facilities Manager, Janet Goldson said FEMA workers from Atlanta are in Kentucky as well, the get the supplies where they need to go.
"They'll receive all that we sent out, all the trailers, they'll turn around and process it and send it out to the state," said Goldson.
And for those who want to help, the Red Cross said there are two things you can do right now.
"Blood and money are the best ways to give, said Ruby Ramirez, Regional Communications manager at American Red Cross of Georgia. "Unfortunately, we are not accepting physical items. They're difficult to distribute in this scenario. If you want to help , $10, whatever you can contribute, visit redcross.org to make a donation or redcrossblood.org to find your nearest donation center or nearest blood drive."
And while Type O is the universal donor blood type, Ramirez said all types help. And with a national blood bank, blood donated in Atlanta Monday could be used in a Kentucky hospital by the end of the week.
To help donate blood or money to the Red Cross, click here.