Volunteers from Washtenaw County are heading south to help victims of the devastating tornadoes that struck the southern United States last week. Other volunteers are helping victims of Texas wildfires and North Dakota floods.

The Washtenaw County Red Cross said volunteers from Washtenaw County and Lenawee counties been sent to Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and North Dakota.

Tornadoes that struck southern parts of the United States Wednesday had as of Saturday, killed 337 people, The Associated Press reported.

Hardest hit was Alabama, where Governor Robert Bentley has activated National Guard troops to help in the devastated areas. The Red Cross said it is sending disaster workers, materials, blood products, equipment and food to the state. Nearly 40 emergency response vehicles are on the way, along with 25,000 ready-to-eat meals.

Washtenaw and Lenawee chapters of the Red Cross have sent the following workers to assist hard-hit areas, the agency said:

• Two volunteers are headed to Alabama and a volunteer is being sent to assist in the Arkansas tornado- and flood-ravaged area.
• Four volunteers were sent to North Carolina for tornado and flood assistance.
• Two client caseworkers were assigned to the Texas wildfires for 10 days.
• Two volunteers were also deployed to the North Dakota floods for 10 days.

To be deployed, volunteers must have completed a program of Red Cross Disaster Education courses and be prepared to leave for their assignments within 24 hours’ notice. Typical deployments are a minimum of 10-14 days.