American Red Cross is still assessing the damage today caused by Wednesday's tornadoes.

According to Becky Notestine, Kosciusko County American Red Cross director, once the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department told the Red Cross where the storm caused damage Wednesday, disaster workers went out and assessed the damage. They determined whether the damage was minor or major and came up with an estimated cost. The figures, once complete, will be submitted to the state.

The information submitted to the state will allow Kosciusko County to receive some funding from the state to help pay for damages.

According to information provided by the Red Cross, the tornado damage to Kosciusko County residents follows a path from Mentone to North Webster. Initial damage assessment conducted by the Red Cross disaster workers included 14 to 20 residences with major damage and 20 to 30 with minor damage. A disaster shelter was opened at the Center Lake Pavilion Wednesday but is now closed.

A further assessment was ongoing today, Notestine said.

"The Dells were hit real hard," Notestine said, and at least two homes in Suburban Acres had major damage.

A service center was opened at noon at the Red Cross, 320 N. Buffalo St., and will close at 7 p.m. Friday; the center will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. Assistance will be provided to those with damaged homes. Anyone who needs assistance should bring identification listing their home address.

The American Red Cross will provide food, clothing, shelter, eyeglasses and other emergency needs storm victims may have.

"Even people with insurance are going to come in," she said, because insurance agents may not be able to help those affected as soon as help is needed.

The Salvation Army will be available to help families with damaged homes after those families have received initial Red Cross assistance. To receive Salvation Army assistance, the victims must first be seen by the Red Cross, according to Red Cross information provided.

Ken Locke, Salvation Army, said the Red Cross is the first contact during disasters. "Anyone affected by the storm should go there first," he said.

Donations of food and clothing will be handled by the Salvation Army. Food should be taken to the Army's main office at 501 E. Arthur St. Donations of clothing, blankets and coats as well as other useable items should be taken to the Family Thrift Store, 322 N. Detroit St.

The Salvation Army also served the emergency personnel who were on the scene after the storm.

Locke said, "We definitely want this to be a cooperative effort between the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross."

Notestine said anyone wanting to help can do so in three ways.

First, they can volunteer to be on a disaster team.

Second, she said, they can help financially. A lot of money passed through the local Red Cross recently, she said, but it was earmarked for the New York Disaster Relief. Money is needed for local disaster assistance.

Third, she said, people can support the United Way. A majority of the funds for both the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are received from the United Way.

Notestine said if anyone's home is damaged or if anyone knows of a home that was damaged and that the Red Cross does not know about, they should call or stop by the Red Cross to get help.

All Red Cross assistance is given at no charge to victims of disasters. For more information, call the American Red Cross at 267-5244 or toll free at 888-267-5244. Both the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army are Kosciusko County United Way agencies. [[In-content Ad]]