SEMO Health Network team heading to Oklahoma

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Members of the Moore, Okla., community are struggling to find bits of their past in the rubble left by Monday's devastating tornado. On Friday, when the members of the SEMO Health Network's Emergency Response Team arrive, they hope to help survivors to rebuild for their future.

The team received word Tuesday afternoon from Direct Relief International that needed supplies to help the Oklahoma community would soon be on their way. The organization then posted on its Facebook page plans to head west to help survivors and asked for bottled water to take with them for the survivors.

Almost immediately, the community responded, said Sarah Ezell, marketing director for SEMO Health Network.

The New Madrid County Health Center was among the first to respond with a truckload of bottled water, she said. Individuals soon were dropping into the New Madrid site with not one or two cases of water, but cases by the dozen.

"I'm amazed at the generosity of our neighbors in Southeast Missouri," said Cheryl White, executive officer of the SEMO Health Network. "But not surprised."

The donations, along with the medical supplies from Direct Relief International, according to White, will enable the local medical team to use its funds for items such as bleach, shovels and rakes. They plan to take a commercial-size barbecue grill and will spend additional funds to feed other volunteers who are converging on the devastated community.

White said they hope to gather as many donations -- whether bottled water or cash -- by 6 p.m. today. Early Friday morning, the specially equipped trailer, along with two other vehicles, will head west to Oklahoma. There they will coordinate with other disaster relief providers and set up a mobile clinic.

This isn't the first time the SEMO Health Network has responded to calls for assistance. A group of health providers went to Joplin, Mo., two years ago, armed with only supplies, a tent and their vehicles.

In Joplin, they slept in their vehicles while manning their tent during the day. White said the experience led them to working with Direct Relief International to acquire the mobile trailer to serve as a base for emergency medical services. It also can comfortably house personnel during the evening.

The initial crew of eight will work through the Memorial Day weekend with the Red Cross and local churches, providing medical services. If needed, a replacement medical crew will follow, bringing any additional donations to help the tornado victims, White said.

White and the crew already were at work Tuesday, checking the mobile clinic, working to organize supplies and watching weather forecasts to coordinate their arrival as the recovery efforts get underway.

Pertinent address:

New Madrid, Mo.