The Selma Times-Journal

The American Red Cross in Selma is asking the community to reach out and assist several local families who are left with nothing following the tornado in Summerfield that destroyed more than 10 homes and businesses Sunday.

The national organization stepped in Thursday to provide assistance for needs such as food, clothing, and linens.

Phillips said the local

Red Cross assists on a more immediate level, providing food and shelter in the days following the storm. The families have been provided food through the Bosco Nutrition Center and shelter at the Ramada on West Highland Avenue.

For the five families who did not have insurance on their homes, now is a time of uncertainty.

Though

tax deductions can be made for loss of possessions, or for total loss in the case of a natural disaster,

the deductions typically do not make up for the immediate loss that families may experience.

Because a state of emergency was not declared by the governor for Summerfield and Dallas County, the families without insurance are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.

Everline Stallworth is one of the individuals who lost her home. She is unsure of what will happen next, but is scheduled to start at her new job as a nursing assistant at Vaughan Regional Medical Center this weekend.

Stallworth said her refrigerator and stove are still sitting in the remains of her home, but

she is not sure if they still work.

Stallworth’s mother, Josephine Jones, also lost her home in the storm and has no insurance.

Jones, Stallworth and other family members lived near each other on a private drive off County Road 37.

All of the families’ homes were affected, with two being completely destroyed and the others left with extensive damage.

Individuals who would like to help the families can contact the Red Cross at

874-4641.