Editorial note: The American Red Cross has spokespeople on the scene in Greensburg, KS and the DisasterOperationsCenter is available 24 hours a day to facilitate media requests. Please call 202-303-5551.

WASHINGTON, Saturday, May 05, 2007 — Even as the Red Cross opens shelters and begins its response to the devastating Kansas tornado, the Safe and Well Web site is operating to assist those who cannot reach loved ones. Red Cross staff, volunteers, emergency response vehicles (ERVs) and mobile feeding units are mobilizing from Red Cross chapters across the Midwest to help their neighbors in need. Red Cross workers have set up emergency shelters in the affected Kansas counties, providing food, water and emotional.

With dozens missing and injured, it's important to stay in touch with your loved ones. Due to widespread power and telecommunication outages, critical public utilities may not be restored for several days. During this time, your family and friends may not be able to reach you. Neighbors can even join forces to help each other leave word for loved ones. To identify yourself as Safe and Well:

Visit www.redcross.org and click on Safe and Well
If you are in the affected area, list yourself as Safe and Well by calling 1(866)GET-INFO (or 1-866-438-4636) or registering on the Safe and Well web site
If you hear from a loved one in the affected area, enter their information on the site to let people know they are Safe and Well
If you have phone or internet access, share that with your neighbors who don't. Invite them to use your computer access to place themselves on the site. Share your cell phone with your neighbors who may need to call 1(866)GET-INFO for help listing their information.

As with any other Red Cross service or product, Safe and Well safeguards the privacy of disaster victims and protects their information according to privacy law standards. Messages – but not locations – will be viewable by friends and family. The Red Cross recommends that people affected should determine how best to communicate their contact information and whereabouts to family members. During the initial hours of this disaster it is important to stay connected with loved ones. Take action now by visiting www.redcross.org.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.