Support flows in following Lee County tornadoes

Aerial of tornado damage. Via Montgomery Advertiser.

Lee County has been left reeling after a devastating EF-4 tornado struck Beauregard and Smiths Station Sunday evening. 23 people died in the storm, including three children under age 10. Now, the area is focused on relief efforts.

Two anonymous corporations have stepped up to pay for funeral expenses of all 23 victims. A man from Illinois has traveled to Lee County with 23 crosses custom made as a memorial to the victims.

Donations from the community have poured in since Sunday’s events. Local churches, schools and businesses have relief efforts and services ranging from donating items to offering free boarding for displaced pets.

Even Auburn University is offering ways to donate and volunteer. The university is sponsoring daily volunteer opportunities for students interested during spring break. Students interested in signing up can go to www.auburn.edu/tornadorelief. The university also has several drop off points across campus for non-perishable food, work gloves, trash bags and personal hygiene items.

Lee County Emergency Management Agency has also issued warnings to citizens about potential scams in the wake of the relief efforts. The agency has designated official drop off locations and legitimate organizations to send money to.

The Red Cross, the Governor’s Relief Fund and the Community Foundation of East Alabama are amongst the organizations deemed reliable.

At one point this week, the agency said it was overwhelmed with donations and asked those wishing to help to hold off. They have since been able to sort through donations.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones has also reported looting at the scene and said Thursday morning that looters will be jailed.

GoFundMe fundraising sites for some of the victims and for damage repairs have exceeded $50,000. Several on-campus organizations have worked to coordinate relief efforts.

Blood drives held on campus and in the community this week have helped replenish the blood supply at East Alabama Medical Center, where 40 patients were taken Sunday evening. All but four patients have been released.

Reports of victims only have five minutes of warning before the storms have prompted questions about Lee County warning systems.

Several Alabama lawmakers have visited the wreckage. Governor Ivey toured yesterday, and Senator Doug Jones went to the wreckage scene this morning. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Lee County on Friday.

Trump recently approved Ivey’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Lee County. The designation will provide grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other ways to assist survivors.

Lee County Schools have been closed all week. Schools are expected to reopen next Tuesday. Media have been gathering at Beauregard High School for daily press conferences.