What you need to know before volunteering for tornado relief

OKLAHOMA (KFOR) — Many Oklahomans have been watching the devastation from this weekend's tornados and want to help. Officials stress not to go to the impacted areas without a plan.

"It looks awful. So I just really want to help out in any way that I can," said Kassandra Fox.

Fox saw the aftermath of the tornados in Marietta, Holdenville, and Sulphur.

Many organizations are already down in the area, like Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

"We come in and help them clean up their property at absolutely no cost to them," said Jason Yarbrough, with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Their certified and trained volunteers wear yellow shirts. The organization doesn't usually put out a call for help, until they're more established after a disaster. After that, they'll then send out a call for day volunteers.

"To potentially come and set up beside us and walk in with us and do some of the dragging of limbs and cleaning up of debris and some of the things like that," said Yarbrough.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross needs help in shelters, distributing supplies, and logistics.

"We need folks who can manage those coming in, unload them from a semi-trailer truck, for example, put them on other vehicles to get taken out," said Matt Trotter, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.

To volunteer, click here. Then the Red Cross will coordinate with you.

If you want to volunteer as a group, The Red Cross wants you to call 1-800-RED-CROSS instead of applying.

"We are expediting background checks at this point and setting people up to do that on the job training," said Trotter.

"I want to go out there tomorrow, though," said Fox. "I want to be helpful now and not a week from now."

Murray County officials said they've been overrun with help.

"We have had a tremendous outpouring of support from the community and from areas all around," said Brian McDaniel, with Murray County Emergency Management.

They're taking volunteers, but strategically and safely.

Officials said they're filtering volunteers through the Murray County Expo Center, at 3490 Hwy 7, on the West Edge of Sulphur. You can show up, or call (580) 622-3016.

"This is to protect the property of the business owners and the residents," said McDaniel.

Love County Emergency Management said it has also been overrun with volunteers coming with heavy equipment. While the intentions are great, that can often prove more harmful than helpful. If you have equipment, officials want you to coordinate with them.