Birmingham, Prattville, WSFA 12 & nonprofits supporting Alabama Jan. 12 Tornado Relief [PHOTOS]

On January 12th, a total of 9 tornadoes touched down in Alabama—including one that began in Autauga County and stayed on the ground for 77 miles—according to the latest survey conducted by the National Weather Service Birmingham Office. 

Numerous communities, including Selma, Greensboro and Greene, Hale, Perry, Dallas, Tallapoosa, Autauga, Chambers and Barbour counties were impacted.

Help Needed

Below is a collection of places and organizations supporting Tornado relief efforts:

WSFA 12 & Central Alabama Community Foundation Telethon

On Wednesday, Jan. 18th, WSFA 12 News and the Central Alabama Community Foundation are holding a 12 hour tornado relief telethon, from 6AM to 6:30PM.

If you’d like to donate right now online or by texting ALRELIEF to 44321.

Collection Sites — Birmingham and Prattville

The cities of Birmingham and Prattville have set up collection locations:

The City of Birmingham, along with Christian Service Mission and Weil Wrecker Service, will host a supply drive for the residents of Selma, Alabama, Tuesday, January 17 through Thursday, January 19. Those wishing to support the drive may drop off supplies at Boutwell Auditorium, located at 1930 Rev. Abraham Wood, Jr. Boulevard. Donations will be accepted from 7:30AM. to 4PM each day.

The City of Prattville is providing a disaster relief drop-off location at City Hall located at 101 W Main Street.

Both sites take the following items:

Please refer to the list of items requested for the supply drive.

• Body wash
• Bottled water
• Cleaning supplies
• Deodorant
• Diapers (both adult and baby)
• Feminine hygiene products
• First aid supplies
• Paper towels
• Snacks
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Towels (face and body)
• Work gloves

Community Foundations Stepping Up

The Black Belt Community Foundation and  Central Alabama Community Foundation have both created disaster relief funds for Dallas and Autauga counties.  

Selma Recovery Fund

The people of the City of Selma are in need of your help during this crisis. To address this destruction, The Back Belt Community Foundation is partnering with the City of Selma through the leadership of Mayor James Perkins and his staff in seeking funds to help bring some urgent relief to our community. Give—HERE

Autauga Disaster Fund

The Central Alabama Community Foundation The Autauga County Disaster Relief Fund will assist citizens impacted by the January 12th tornados. Funds will be used to support immediate as well as long-term needs of citizens in Autauga County. Give—HERE

United Way of Central Alabama & United Way of Selma & Dallas County

The United Way of Central and United Way of Selma and Dallas County have teamed up, creating a disaster relief fund. Donate via their website by texting SELMA to 62644 or visit  www.uwca.org/selma

River Region United Way

The River Region United Way has created a Disaster Relief Fund. This is an ongoing fund to support the critical needs of victims due to a disaster.

Donations are accepted by:

• Texting DISASTER23 to 41444
• Visit the website here, Click DONATE, and Designate to “DISASTER.”

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Alabama & Mississippi is helping our neighbors recover from the damages in Selma. Here’s how:

• Shelter at Selma High School: A place to stay + get a meal and emergency supplies.
  • Location: 2180 Broad St, Selma, AL 36701
• Damage assessments: Call 1-800-Red Cross or contact your local emergency management agency to schedule a damage assessment.
• Volunteer: Check out the Red Cross website for volunteer and donation opportunities.

Links to Groups Supporting Tornado Relief

• Salvation Army of Alabama
• Alabama-West Alabama Conference of United Methodist Church
• Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief
• Church of the Highlands

We are continuously updating this story. Please email The Bama Buzz at hello@bhamnow.com if you know of any additional tornado relief charities and events.