Help Oklahoma tornado victims

For most Oklahomans, the scary stuff has moved on to the east without any damage. One of our trees dropped a limb in Sunday's storms. Today's storms passed through Tulsa with little fanfare. We're now under a flash flood watch until 3 a.m. -- conditions are ripe for heavy rains that can cause dangerous localized flooding. Southeastern Oklahoma is under a tornado watch until 3 a.m.

But Oklahomans in Moore and Bethel Acres will be living with the aftermath for a long time to come. There will be mourning for those who died in the elementary school. There's an immediate need for food, shelter, and clothing. Downed and damaged trees must be cleared away and power lines restored.

Full-time emergency personnel can only do so much; effective disaster relief requires skilled volunteers along with funds for food, fuel, supplies.

The Oklahoman has a list of ways you can help Oklahoma tornado victims.

One organization that is already here and helping is the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma's Disaster Relief Team. There are already over 80 volunteers at work and more on their way -- feeding units, chainsaw teams clearing trees and debris, and a few chaplains to comfort the victims. These are Oklahomans helping Oklahomans. You can help them help Oklahoma tornado victims by making a tax-deductible donation -- all money goes to disaster relief and helping victims with food, laundry, and tree removal.

Right now, Oklahoma has an adequate supply of blood, but it will need to be replenished. According to the Oklahoman, "every drop of blood needed by patients in all metro-Oklahoma City hospitals and 140 others across the state" comes from the Oklahoma Blood Institute. OBI's Tulsa donor center is west of Yale on 81st Street.