OKLAHOMA RED CROSS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS AFTER DESTRUCTIVE STORMS

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. –

Powerful storms killed at least 21 peopleand injured hundreds across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Two of those people lost their lives in Mayes County after Saturday night’s storms muscled through Claremore and moved into Pryor. These deaths affect Amber Lee’s family. Lee spoke to News 9 sister station News on 6 on Monday afternoon.

“Everything’s gone,” said Lee, whose husband lost two family members in Saturday’s Tornado in Mayes County. “Reality starting to set in. It just seems like a nightmare.”

Buddy Robertson counted his blessings after a tree missed his Claremore home.

“I was really pretty lucky,” Roberson said.

The Oklahoma Red Cross has helped 55 households with disaster-related needs and served more than 2,000 meals. Oklahoma Red Cross spokesperson Matt Trotter was in Claremore on Monday. He was at the sight of a shelter where volunteers continue a busy month of storm relief.

“Making sure people have a safe place to stay if their home was damaged or if they don’t have power,” Trotter said. “People seem in pretty good spirits.”

Trotter said he hopes more volunteers sign up to help communities recover.

“[Our volunteers are] hanging in there and they’re doing great work, and they love helping people, but we would love to have more volunteers,” Trotter said. “We have been trying to streamline training as much as possible and get people on board as quickly as possible.”

People interested in volunteering can sign up to be a volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer. The Red Cross is also looking for cash donations. There’s a direct link to donate — at news9.com/redcross.