People across Kentucky and southern Indiana have begun the process of cleanup and repair from Friday’s massive tornado outbreak that killed more than 30 people in the two states, injured scores of others and left widespread destruction. The Red Cross’s Vicki Eichstaedt has been helping coordinate relief efforts in the devastated community of Henryville, Indiana."We’re seeing people getting roofing materials and tarps on their roofs, we’re seeing people meet up with one another in the streets, and just supporting each other and taking care of each other and really people helping people, which is just so important,"she said. The governors of Indiana and Kentucky both toured the damaged areas in their respective states Saturday morning. Kentucky’s Steve Beshear dispatched more than 200 National Guard troops to some of the hardest hit areas, most of them in eastern Kentucky.Beshear also declared a state of emergency across the commonwealth to make state resources quickly available to local officials.Eichstaedt says the best way to help tornado victims everywhere is with a cash donation to the Red Cross.Contributions can be made by texting ‘Red Cross’ to 90999, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or visiting the Red Cross website.(Photo of Henryville, Indiana tornado damage by C.E. Branham, News and Tribune)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
