I was talking to a professor at the University of Alabama yesterday. The worst of the tornados missed campus, but, still, the school is reporting that five students have died.
“I was doing some relief work today and frankly some of the streets and intersections are absolutely unrecognizable,” he told me.
He continued:
The University has basically shut down for the remainder of the spring semester. Classes are cancelled, final exams are optional, and there will not be a spring commencement ceremony.
Please keep the residents of Tuscaloosa in your thoughts and prayers.
When I asked him his assessment of what groups are on the ground and would likely make the best use of support, he recommended:
Samaritan’s Purse has been very active organizing groups to undertake various relief projects.
Catholic Social Services of West Alabama. (They will have a paypal link up shortly)
And Birmingham bishop Robert Baker has a Disaster relief fund. A report on the archdiocesan efforts here.