HARRISBURG, IL (KMOX) – The American Red Cross out of St. Louis will be joining rescue workers in Harrisburg, IL this morning, providing whatever support they can.

Peggy Barnhardt is with the local chapter. She says four disaster teams from St. Louis have been dispatched to the tornado-damaged area – two to Harrisburg, and two to Ridgeway.  By 8 o’clock Thursday morning Barnhardt said the Red Cross had 40 people on the ground.

“Today we’ll have the disaster assessment teams going in,” she said. “For those who are affected, who need food, clothing or shelter, we’ll see that they get it.”

Besides food and shelter, the Red Cross will also provide health and mental heath services.

Disaster relief was delayed yesterday by the scope of the devastation. Barnhardt says no one was allowed in to the hardest hit areas, our of fear for their safety due to exposed powerlines and gas mains, and also to keep looters at bay.

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