Hurricane Laura relief efforts in North Alabama: How you can help

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As the damage reports from Hurricane Laura come in, you could start to wonder ‘How can I help?” Well, there are a few things you can do. In some cases, you don't even have to leave your couch.

Starting with the simplest way to give, just pull out your phone and text keyword “Laura” to 40403 to give financially. One hundred percent of donations go directly towards relief efforts organized by the United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

You can also help by giving blood at your local Red Cross. 

We spoke to Kris Anderson of Red Cross of North Alabama, she says the demand for blood goes up during times like these-- and the supply goes down. She adds, “It absolutely does impact our supply. A lot of people are not able to give. They’re afraid to give… The storms actually cancel a lot of blood drives. 

She adds, for groups like Red Cross, monetary donations are best during natural disasters like Laura. Anderson says, “If you would like to help, you can of course support the American Red Cross, go to RedCross.org, make a contribution. Or support any other disaster relief and they’ll all tell you that the best way you can help now is with financial resources.”

A group of churches in the Tennessee Valley have left to go to Lake Charles, Louisiana to help victims of Laura in any way they can. We met with Minister Erick Chaney of Priceville Church of Christ Friday evening. He tells our reporter, “It’s Decatur, Privevile, Hartselle, and Flint Churches of Christ and so we all have team members that are involved.” 

And they’re armed with necessary supplies. Minister Chaney says, “Primarily, it’s roofing nails, tarps, building supplies…” The churches are in need of donations of those things, hygiene products and even pet supplies for victims. 

The first team of volunteers left Thursday to assess the need in Lake Charles. But, another trip is planned for Tuesday with a larger crew to do even more clean up.

You can drop off any donations at the Decatur, Pricevile, Hartselle, and Flint Churches of Christ. 

You can find a list of items the churches are requesting below: 

• Individually wrapped snacks
• Hygiene products
• Cleaning supplies
• Tarps
• Pet supplies 
• Monetary Donations (100% of donations go toward purchasing supplies)

Click here to connect with the churches via Facebook.

Below is a Facebook post from Decatur Church of Christ providing more details on donation drop-off.