Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama as it coordinates a response to a series of tornadoes that devastated eastern Alabama earlier this week.

An EF-4 tornado with winds estimated at 170 miles per hour struck Lee County and surrounding areas on Sunday, March 3. It destroyed homes and property and killing 23 people as of Tuesday afternoon, making it the nation’s deadliest tornado in nearly six years. More than 90 people have been treated for injuries at nearby hospitals. Two EF-1 tornadoes struck nearby areas causing additional destruction.

The US Disaster team is in contact with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Smith Station as they coordinate a response to the tornadoes. Episcopal Relief & Development is also in contact with the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia as they assess the needs in their community.

“Disasters have three phases: Rescue, Relief and Recovery,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director, US Disaster Program for Episcopal Relief & Development. “Right now the disaster response is moving from the initial Rescue phase, where first responders such as police and fire department are focusing on saving lives, into the Relief phase. In the coming weeks and months, we will work with the Diocese of Alabama to provide relief and help communities recover.”

Please pray for those impacted by the tornadoes. If you would like to help dioceses to respond by becoming a volunteer, visit Ready to Serve, Episcopal Relief & Development’s volunteer platform to sign up.  Donations to the US Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to this crisis.

“We are standing ready to offer assistance as the local Church assesses needs and identifies areas where it can best help impacted people in this difficult time,” said Mears.