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United Way of Southwest Alabama / Uncategorized  / Community Impact  / Hurricane Zeta Victims Suffering in Silence
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Hurricane Zeta Victims Suffering in Silence

Hurricane Zeta ravaged areas in Clarke, Mobile, and Washington Counties. Many people are suffering in silence. Many storm victims are unaware there is help available. United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) and the other organizations that are part of the Mobile County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) are working to assist families in need. Volunteer efforts are essential while Southwest Alabama waits for a FEMA Declaration.

Many families are living in homes that were destroyed or badly damaged. Mobile County VOAD Chair, Mike Dillaber, is working to prioritize the homes and areas hardest hit. He said, “The volunteer presence has given the community hope and brought forward more people in need.”

This weekend, Dillaber found a family catching rain water in buckets before they were given a tarp for their roof. He discovered another home in Citronelle that was completely destroyed with the family still living in it.

The Ohio based Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) team arrived in Mobile County Monday, November 30 and is assisting residents with unmet needs caused by Hurricane Zeta. This group consists of 75 volunteers that have the equipment to remove large trees and debris. MDS will support Mobile and Washington Counties until Christmas. They may return in January 2021, if there are significant remaining needs in the area. This group is just one of the recent groups that traveled to Southwest Alabama to assist storm victims.

United Way 2-1-1 works to support Mobile County VOAD identifying community needs. UWSWA and Mobile County VOAD encourage those in need to call 2-1-1 or 888.421.1266.

To help with Hurricane Zeta relief efforts, text ZetaRelief to 91999 or click here