VIDEO: Irma Victims Head to Northeast MS, How You Can Help

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- Saturday Morning, the Lake Forest Ranch in Macon received a call asking if they could house 130 Irma Evacuees from Florida. These evacuees were from an assisted living facility in Sarasota which specializes in rehabilitating patients who have suffered Brain Trauma. As soon as Assistant Director Nick Hall received the call, they reached out for help.

“We’ve worked with Emergency management and they are putting together food and linens and towels and medical care,” says Hall.

Since the evacuees left, they found a place to stay closer to home in Lucedale, Mississippi, with some of the more critical patients going to Hattiesburg. But, receiving a call like this isn’t the first time for Lake Forest Ranch.

“Lake Forest Housed Hurricane Katrina Evacuees for weeks. They were local families from New Orleans and the Gulf COast and they stayed for weeks and weeks,” says Hall.

What impressed Hall the most was the outpouring of support.

“The outpouring of folks that have wanted to help, obviously not knowing the fullest extent of the need, it makes you happy to be a Missisisppian,” says Hall.

The generosity of locals has been incredible. We’ve recieved messages on facebook asking how people can help. We talked to Lowndes County EMA Director Cindy Lawrence on the best way that you can make a difference.

“The most immediate need everyone needs right now is finances, so we’re asking you to please donate to the Red Cross They can help meet the immediate needs of citizens in Florida and Texas,” says Lawrence.

If you do wish to donate food or water, Lawrence suggests donating your items to local organizations such as the Salvation Army or local food banks. She also asks citizens to not go into the damaged areas after the storm.

“Please don’t go into the affected areas and be a spontaneous volunteer and go down there,” says Lawrence.

Lawrence also wants those evacuees in Lowndes County to know that her office is there to help.

“If you are listening to my voice today and you are from Florida, Georgia, Alabama or Texas, call my office, we can assist you any way we can in Lowndes County,” says Lawrence

As the storm rages on in Florida and the destruction continues, evacuees should know that they are in good hands.

“My Hope is that they will Stay Tough and Hang in there because the best is yet to come,” says Lawrence.

Hurricane Irma has caused over 6 million people to be evacuated, and the total cost of its destruction may not be realized for weeks.  Locally, evacuees have moved into the Twin States from Irma and even Hurricane Harvey.  After the disaster, hundreds of thousands of families are left to pick up the pieces and undergo the difficult rebuilding process.

If you are moved by the images of destruction and devastation in Florida and Texas  by the recent hurricanes, there are ways you can help.  We sat down with Lowndes County EMA Director Cindy Lawrence to talk about what you can do to help both locally and nationally.

1) The most urgent need is finances.  Families who lost their homes don’t have a place to store items immediately, and it can often be difficult to transport truckloads of donated items into affected areas.  The best way to support immediately is by donating cash or gift cards to non-profit organizations committed to serving those victims.  Be sure and do your research before you donate to a non-profit.  For help in choosing a non-profit, you can visit Charity Navigator, your guide to intelligent giving.  This site has a list of non-profits that are working to support victims from Hurricane Harvey

2) Donate food and water locally.  Many times churches and food banks are more than willing to accept your donations.  If you do donate food, make sure it is non-perishable.  Canned goods and dry goods are often best.  You can also donate bottled water, or gallon jugs.

3) If you do donate clothes and/or furniture, do so locally.  Director Lawrence suggests donating these items to a group such as the Salvation Army.  They are equipped to move these items wherever they might be, and sometimes that might not be in the affected areas.

Are you an evacuee from Irma or Harvey? The local EMA Director is the best place to find out more information if you are in need of food, clothing or shelter.  Even if you are in a hotel, the local EMA office may be able to help.  Shelters can be opened locally and the EMA director can connect you with local churches, Red Cross chapters and more which might be able to help you with your immediate needs.

If you wish to contact a local EMA office to ask about assistance, click the state you are in.  Mississippi   Alabama