By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A severe storm that hit St. Joseph on Tuesday is a reminder to stay aware as storm season is upon us.
A confirmed tornado in St. Joseph hit one home and the American Red Cross is helping aid the family.
Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says the American Red Cross is there to be a safety net, helping with those immediate emergency needs.
"So, we're there to ensure that they have a safe place to go, that they have clothes on their back, food to eat, we will assist with essential items such as maybe medication that they need, or eyewear," Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We want to make sure that we're working with them to get them taken care of for the next 24 to 48 hours initially."
Springs says as time goes on the Red Cross will work with families to get them back into housing, whether that is a new home or the home they had to vacate.
Springs says this tornado, which came seemingly out of nowhere, is a reminder to stay prepared for anything.
"Sometimes we have warning when a disaster is going to strike, and sometimes we don't, and so it's just an important reminder that we always need to be vigilant," Springs explains. "So, you know if severe weather is going to happen in our communities, we usually know about that with radar indication, or our weatherman are talking about that, and so you want to be vigilant for that."
Springs says you should make sure you are aware of the what the signs are, that you plan accordingly, and that you have a plan in place well ahead of time.
Springs says donations to the Red Cross are always a big help in the Red Cross providing aid.
"When the Red Cross responds, we do it immediately, we don't wait until we raise the funds to help that particular family or that particular instance, we're there to respond today because someone gave yesterday," Springs proudly says.
Springs says in big instances, such as hurricanes, you can specify what area your donation goes towards.
"In smaller scale ones we ask that you give a donation to the American Red Cross to help with any sort of disaster we may be responding too," Springs says.
You can find more information on how to help the Red Cross HERE.