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MN Red Cross Sends 2 More To Tornado-Devastated South

By Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Twin Cities Chapter of the American Red Cross has sent two more volunteers to help in the tornado-devastated south.

"One will be helping specifically set up the infrastructure of the operation," said Red Cross spokeswoman Carrie Carlson.

He'll be setting up computers and other communications so volunteers can work, Carlson said.

The second volunteer will be working in disaster health services.

"He'll be helping those in need in first aid stations and things like that," Carlson said.

On Thursday the Twin Cities sent one volunteer to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to find out what the community needed. Many volunteers in Minnesota are simply waiting for a phone call to go and help.

Carlson says the greatest need right now is in disaster mental health.

"Right now we're recruiting internally to our Red Cross volunteers for disaster mental health," Carlson said. "The emotional healing and recovery part of this is going to be a huge component."

More than 500 Red Cross volunteers across the country have already been deployed.

"This is a level five disaster;this is a huge undertaking. This is the biggest disaster in that area since Katrina," Carlson said.

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