Assessment teams with the National Weather Service in Paducah were out in full force across the region Wednesday to examine the damage from Tuesday night's tornado outbreak.
Speaking at a news conference in Perryville, Missouri Wednesday, warning coordination meteorologist Rich Shanklin said the twister in Perry County, Missouri was substantial, possibly measuring as an EF-2 or EF-3 twister.
Shanklin says the tornado is being measured at one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide, although that is a preliminary figure and could be adjusted. The twister killed one in Perryville and damaged or destroyed dozens of homes.
Now, Perryville's Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Southeast Missouri are joining forces to collect donations to help storm victims get back on their feet.
The United Way's Elizabeth Shelton says all the money raised will go to recovery efforts in Perryville. She says they are deferring to relief agencies like the Red Cross to direct them how to spend the money.
"Currently we're collecting funds and we are waiting for our people, our agencies and contacts there to let us know more specifically what they need."
Shelton says the Perryville chamber's website has a list of supplies they're collecting. Those items include large storage containers, laundry soap, flashlights, gloves, boots, and bottled water.
